National Weather Service Announcement:

Uncharacteristically out of season and what scientists are calling a "freak of nature", Hurricane Todd appears to be heading in the direction of New York and is expected to make land fall on Sunday December 16th. Todd is predicted to be one of the most prolific and devastating air assaults on U.S. soil.

More at 11.

Sweet double move Jla.

All this playoff talk is horrifying me.

Toddth!

It's always amazing how we get to this point in the year, and look back in anguish at any one of a handful of games we should have won.

Dropped balls in Green Bay.

A time out against Buffalo.

The inability to punch it in from the one against the Giants.

Late game interceptions.

Fumbleitis.

Sigh.

Here's hoping. But the best playoff scenario involves a time machine.

But then again, if I had a time machine, I'd go save Sean. Screw the playoffs.

I have to say...after a few weeks of just horrible, tragic, horrendous news, todday's toddally Todd afternoon has been a welcome break from the norm Up Here. I don't think it can get old at this point. The alternative is getting old, that's for sure.

It's time for our bi-annual late playoff push...

Unfortunately, Heath Shuler isn't available.

Well put, jvwright. But this is more or less true for the bulk of teams in the NFL. Everyone can point to a handful of plays that will cost them playoff position or the playoffs altogether. As Ken Beatrice used to say, 90% of all games are lost, not won.

JV, I agree, but we could just have easily lost to Miami, Philly, Jets, and Arizona. Echo your thoughts on Sean Taylor, though.

JV, I agree, but we could just have easily lost to Miami, Philly, Jets, and Arizona. Echo your thoughts on Sean Taylor, though.

Posted by: squashmo | December 10, 2007 08:52 PM
=============================================

cosmofla

Not to start the Wilbon hate up again...but then again...why not? I must.

Joe Gibbs was asked today on Redskins Radio what he thought about the media (aka Wilbon and Shapiro) slandering (this is my word - not Bram Weinstein's) Sean's name and the way he died BEFORE finding out the facts. Gibbs said it was really a shame...and that in his opinion the slandering media (again my words) owned Sean and his family an apology! AMEN!

Funny...Wilbon was given the opportunity to apologize on Redskins Report last Saturday night and he did not.

I have lost all respect for him. I remember a few years ago passing Wilbon on the street and being afraid to say "hello" because I was in awe of him.

Now? If I were to see him, I would have PLENTY to say...and it would be more like "hell" than "hello."

Let's see...hmmm...has Jeff George called into a local radio program expressing interest? What about Danny Wuerffel? What other gems are out there?

Lisa, good call. I, too, have always respected Wilbon as a sports writer. But I have completely changed my opinion of him. He should be ashamed of himself. But his head is too friggin big to get through the door. My feeling is he should go back to Chicago and spread his nastiness back in his hometown rather than Washington. I know many stick up for him, but I really believe he was dead wrong on this one.

cosmofla

Right on, Lisa!

I think Wilbon's mendacity in his reporting of the Sean Taylor story is a black mark on an otherwise distinguished career. He has always been provocative, even controversial. Part of that is his personality, part of that is his role as a columnist rather than staff writer, and part of that is his growing persona as a shock jock on PTI.

But in this case he was flat out wrong, and his lack of contrition only underscores how stubborn he is. Had he apologized, had he shown a hint of remorse for what he did and the conclusions he drew without the facts, I think many of us would forgive him. After all, we all mistakes on the job. This was something else entirely, and he should be ashamed of himself.

The saddest part is that his actions will have no repercussions on his own career, but most likely colored the opinions a large percentage of the country's population have of Sean Taylor's life.

One more reason to root for a 'Skins playoff berth...if the playoff game is here in Seattle, well, let's just say I'll throw a nice little shindig for the hamsters :-)

F Wilbum!!

Come on Atlanta!! I didn't think their offense could look any more pathetic and then they inserted Chris Redman... One question why? Harrington is bad but at least he knows the offense

Hollenbach and Palmer are out of football right now and free agents, while Palmer could be signed to the active roster from Miami's practice squad.

By Jason La Canfora | December 10, 2007; 7:38 PM ET

Miami gets no respect. Jason equates their practice squad with being "out of football."

Most players would rather be out of football then admit they are on Miami's practice squad! You don't want to admit you couldn't make the cut on an 0-16 team (predicting)

lisa, the best thing any of us can do is to not click on wilbon's articles online. TRUST ME it matters. do not read his crap.

I think Wilbon's mendacity in his reporting of the Sean Taylor story is a black mark on an otherwise distinguished career. He has always been provocative, even controversial. Part of that is his personality, part of that is his role as a columnist rather than staff writer, and part of that is his growing persona as a shock jock on PTI.

diddy, i'm sorry i don't agree with what you said up there in this para regarding his "distinguished" career. he's just a greedy old man who's trying to make extra coin. any which shamefull/or not way he can. pathetic!

take a "shattered glass" moment and go back and read his body of work you won't feel that way.

i don't agree with TK's politics, we will never be friends but his body of work is trillion times better than wilbon's.

go hawks!

chris redman/roddy white for president!

I spoke too soon REDMAN just threw 2 deep passes the second for a TD!! COME ON Atlanta!

Breaking NEWS!!!

Kyle Orton will start for Da Bears against the Vikes!!

Hold on! I want some of that Mighty Putty? Did anyone get the phone number?

Kyle Orton will start for Da Bears against the Vikes!!

Posted by: trailblazer658 | December 10, 2007 09:26 PM

If Kyle Brady started, they'd still lose.

this mightyputty.com stuff looks pretty good. i think i'm going to ourder some

Any predictions yet on which coaches get fired? Linehan and Cameron, for sure. Any others? Mangini? Billick? Nolan? Marvin Lewis?

I think Petrino gets a reprieve because of the whole Vick debacle.

Philly has already given the dreaded "vote of confidence" to Reid
(and McNabb).

I hope John Fox gets fired in Carolina, because I think he'd make a fantastic 'Skins coach should they elect to clean house.

Conversely, outstanding coaching jobs this year? You gotta give it up to Gruden. That team looked like it was going nowhere early on. Obviously, Belicheck, Dungy, McCarthy, and (sadly) Doughboy down in Dallas. Tomlin's done a great job, as has Del Rio. Jauron has done an amazing job with no QB up in Buffalo.

Does it sadden everyone else to see young coaches like Tomlin, McCarthy, and Del Rio doing well...somewhere other than DC?

If you spread Mighty Putty on the sidewalk and people stepped in it, would their shoes be stuck there forever?

"...while Palmer could be signed to the active roster from Miami's practice squad."
-- Jasno LaToucanfora

By "Palmer", he meant "Bramlet"... I think it's the phonetic spelling...

Don't sleep on Orton he went 10 and 5 as a rookie!

Billick should be fired he has lost that team and they need a QB desperately

Does it sadden everyone else to see young coaches like Tomlin, McCarthy, and Del Rio doing well...somewhere other than DC?

Posted by: PDiddy | December 10, 2007 09:31 PM

Diddy,

I think all the first year coaches get a second year. They don't have anything to work with in Miami, Oakland, etc. If the owner believed in them last year, why change?

I don't mind seeing the young guys excel. I hate to see old guys like Gibbs or Parcells fail. I just think there's a large random element in young guys -- some have it and some don't. But the old guys? Not looking good. They should be Wal-Mart greeters.

1. mike nolan
2. marvin lewis
3. lion's coach
4. miami's coach
5. billick
6. norv turner (the most likely one cuz of the talent there and a returning 14-2 team from last year)

hmmmmmmmm here's an interesting fact...skins have picked a D player in the first round every year (they had one) since gregg's been here.

diddy -- Crennel, hands down. He's taken a craptastic crapload of chronic underachievers and put them in the playoffs.
In a Super-tough division.
After trading away his #1 QB after about 15 minutes of play.
With his firing at the end of the season almost preordained.

Dealer, we seriously need a crib sheet to follow your posts.....

Redman baby!

By the way, got enough points from Brees to make my fantasy playoffs, shut him down!

Is anyone a bit gagged out by the "Free mike vick" stuff?

Billick should be fired he has lost that team and they need a QB desperately

Posted by: trailblazer658 | December 10, 2007 09:37 PM

Billick was 13-3 last year and you want to fire him? He didn't pick the QB. They have a GM -- Ozzie Newsome -- who's supposed to be one of the best. Poor Billick has never had a QB in Balmer.

How about this one -- Who will be the hot coaching prospects in the coming offseason? Grimm? Cowher? Gregg Williams? Jason Garrett?

After all, you're not going to fire Cam Cameron unless you have someone better in mind.

Didn't PTI tonight say that Cameron's going to Michigan?

I hope the Ravens keep Billick so everyone can get another lick in.

True Billick has never had a QB but I think the defense is sick of playing their guts out and losing.... I didn't realize Balmer was 13-3 last year

Why free Mike Vick? He committed a crime. He has admitted to the charges that were brought against him lest we not forget that he choked, electrocuted, and hung dogs that did not perform. He will now serve the time he was given.... These people that are saying free Vick are idiots. He will be free in 23 months maybe sooner...

Forgot Crennel. Definitely agree on that one.

I think Cameron is a goner. How can you keep a guy who could conceivably go 0-16? I can't imagine he has the confidence of anyone right now.

Don't forget the Patriots' offensive coordinator as a coaching prospect.

...GREAT play by Brees there...

Brees is great....

Agree on the Vick thing. The guy is a convicted felon, and is doing his time. Let's hold off on the redemption stories or "free Mike Vick" nonsense until that's over and done with.

BTW, Arthur Blank was impressive in the booth tonight. Clearly a competent CEO...

Atlanta's secondary is getting torched

Billick has worn out his welcome, doesn't matter what his record was 2 years ago...

Ask Pdiddy...when its over, its over...get your toothbrush and move on!

um, why did we get rid of Patten again?

LOL, chrislarry :-)

You guys think that we will go for Asante Samuel in FA this year?

hahaha I kid b/c...well you know....

King of Zing!

Free agents for the 'Skins depends on cap room...see PeKing's MMQB from today...

Great pass Brees/Colston. Brilliant!

What defensive scheme has kieth brookings covering Marcus Colston in the Red Zone!

BTW, Cindy/Jasno, I think lots of us would still like to know why the Pats and Jets weren't wearing "21" decals this weekend...

What is Gibbs 2.0 27-33? Something like that maybe worse...

well, doesn't appear were gettin' this break tonight....

Gibbs 2.0 clock management there!

I thought the 21 decals were for one week only.

Asante Samuel? No way. We're $21 million over the cap, according to Peter King. We'd be lucky to have Shawn back next year. We're in a world of hurt.

Every team except the Jets and Pats are still wearing the "21" decal. Did a quick survey on RedZoneChannel yesterday...

Drew Brees is wearing 21 tonight...

Sorry 4-12, you would have lost sooner if the TE had caught the earlier end zone pass anyway. At least you scored enough points to win any other fantasy matchup this week. :-)

Except for this one...

* end of mean posts *

F salary cap, I'll believe it when I see it...that said we ain't signin' asante samuels...

Damn that as close!

Our playoff chances are dismal at best. Nothing makes it more apparent than when I find myself cheering for the horrific Falcons to win just so my team can control its OWN destiny.

REDICULOUS!!

own your inner ridiculousness firegibbs, let it nourish you, feed, you, give you spirtual oneness....

I wish I could just get in a Todd Machine and travel to the future to see if our Skins make the playoffs!

I think wearing the 21 decals/patches league-wide was only for a week, as well. I seem to recall hearing or reading something during the past week about Mr. Snyder calling the league offices to ensure there wouldn't be a problem (i.e., fines) with our players continuing to wear them.

Diddy,

Where are they wearing them? I didn't see any on the Falcons or the Saints and I don't see them on any of the highlight teams. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong place?

With the salary cap issues looming this off season is gonna be a disaster... can't we just eek into the playoffs to delay thinking about it for just one more week???

I got your salary cap issues right here! Ooohhh!

chrislarry

you think the salary cap issues are a myth?

Sad to say, our playoff hopes are slip sliding away.....and we have not even left the driveway of Redskins park heading to the Meadowlands. It looks like the Saints will win this one...and their remaining games are against AZ, Philly, and Chicago. Darn!

On another note: Linehan should not be fired...the poor guy was saddled with major injuries to his players from essentially week one.

I agree....think the #21 decals were only for one week only.

On that note, I heard a rumor that the NFL said it would fine our players if they wore #21 on their jerseys (think the NFL approved the helmet stickers only). So Snyder got on the phone and asked the Commish how big of a check he should write. Believe after that the Commish allowed our guys to wear 21 on the jerseys as well with no repercussions.

I don't know if this story is true....but I have give Snyder a standing ovation for what he has done for Sean and his family.

The Saints are carving up the dirty birds

Why the talk of bringing in a QB? By adding a QB, we will have to make a roster cut elsewhere. Being that Washington is not going to put Campbell on the IR, wouldn't it make a lot more sense just to have Campbell as the third string QB? The third string QB is an inactive player, and if both active QBs go down, we would be just as well off with Randle El as the fill in as we would an unemployed QB. Why sacrifice a roster spot so that we can carry four QBs on the roster?

I have seen enough

trailblaker...

yeah sorta joking, but then again they have been calling salary cap doom for 10 years for skins, has yet to happen....so I will believe it when I see it...

King, Pastabelly have written the same article so much its in their stock file...

Lisa dont give up hope yet! the whole thing is delusional so tonight shouldnt crush the dream!

I hate when the game is over before my nightly popcorn...

Falcons and their vaunted "no effort" defense make the Saints look like a playoff team.

I think you guys all wrong, I think we will get Asante, especially if Springs leaves..Even if he dosent, I think we will get AS and the gaurd from Pittsburg..Kendall I think

Miami gets no respect. Jason equates their practice squad with being "out of football."

Posted by: talent_evaluator | December 10, 2007 09:15 PM

Sooo.....you're saying that Miami DOES practice?

Huh.

Go Cards! Beat the Saints next week! Woooooo!

So, the Pats WERE wearing "91" on their helmets instead of a "21." Who dat, and why no fine there?

Alright, dirty birds, big 4th quarter now! Big 4th quarter, here we go now! Just rip off four quick TDs! You're feelin' me. You love it.

91 was one of their DT/DEs, who drowned last summer while jet-skiing.

Marquise Hill

Hey, I don't get all this hateration on Wilbon. I thought it was gutsy to say what he said. Maybe a little premature, but in retrospect, Wilbon was right.

Look, the kids that killed him were connected. They had apparently been in his home socially, though not at his invitation. This is what Wilbon is talking about. That to insulate himself, Sean needed to get out of Miami, and as far away from the culture of his youth as he possibly could. It is that culture that killed him.

Wilbon calls it dying young and black. I'm a white dude, so I don't know any more about it than what I can observe. But his point is well taken in that nobody I know is likely to bring anyone in my home who's coming back later with a gun. My culture is boring, slow, whiny, stressed-out, and apathetic... but it's not full of people who pose a threat to me.

Wilbon isn't saying Sean had anything to do with his own demise, short of cutting ties with his past. And, though Wilbon had less to do with the circumstances of his death than it seemed, I challenge anyone to say, given what happened, that Sean severed enough ties or moved far enough away.

That doesn't make it his fault, and it doesn't diminish the tragedy one bit. But it does allow his death to become a lesson to the other instant millionaires in pro sports of just how dangerous envy can be in the wrong circles, and maybe distance - serious and permanent distance - is an extremely wise defense.

I thin NO will lose as least 1 more game. They are not better then any of the teams on there schedule.

The Giants are another story. The bills on the road is not and easy game.

"Wilbon isn't saying Sean had anything to do with his own demise, short of cutting ties with his past . . . I challenge anyone to say, given what happened, that Sean severed enough ties or moved far enough away."

Based on what we know now, Sean had severed his ties to his own past. What he had not severed was his relationship with his own family members. The assailants appear to have a direct or indirect relationship to Sean's step-sister.

Is Wilbon advocating that young black men should disavow their family members also? We doubt it, in which case, Wilbon was wrong, just like you.

Well, well... look who it is, y'allz?!??!?

Remembah me? Finally got properly registered in here. Hollah.

Oh how I love and miss you all. Especially you, Crickets. You're my special late night buddy.

Say, I'm kinda out of the loop-- do we still say SJK this and that, or has "Todd" filled in that function? I'm hoping it is the latter, personally.

No, we fsjkin' don't use SJK anymore. People are BTGO using and abusin' the word Todd in any way they can. You can Todd that to the bank.

For those wondering what games are show in their county... go here.

http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/index.html

On thursday they should update the main map and on friday they will put the specific station changes in the table below.

Note: They have been right all year except the TB game which even Directv didnt tell me my area was switching to the ginats vikes game.

BTW, I know the gmen and ioggles were wearing them, the helmet decals that is, as well as the Cowboys... at least I think

Lat day to vote. ST has it locked, now lets work on Cooley.

Witten is a lock so its between Chris and Shockey.

Start up those cooley bandwaons... vote OFTEN!

**Fantasy Post**

Kost, Smack, Stumped and myself in the playoffs!!

** End of Fantasy Post **

And dont forget about Fletcher!!!

jvwright, that is where you are wrong. Wilbon wrote in his "chat" that Sean "embraced the thug life and ran with it." That was SLANDER. Especially since he said on the radio (and in print) that he did not know Sean or anything about him. He based his writings on heresay.

For the RECORD! The Giants are more than capable of losing their last 3. If the Skins escape with a "W", the Bills are fighting for a spot, and tough in Buffalo, and the PATS,... well 16-0 is DR. B's destiny. ( his mind anyways ) Skins in!

what are the chances that the dallas game gets flex scheduled as well???

Late to the party again, I know...

"Here's hoping. But the best playoff scenario involves a time machine.

But then again, if I had a time machine, I'd go save Sean. Screw the playoffs.

Posted by: jvwright | December 10, 2007 08:29 PM "

JV - I completely echo your feelings about Sean. If I had a choice between going to the playoffs and Sean being gone, or losing our last 3 games and Sean still with us, I'd choose the latter. Every time. Football is just a game. Sean's life > football.

As far as Wilbon's comments, look, the simple fact is that thugs were invited into his home by friends and/or friends of family. They became dangerously envious, and they struck. If you're saying the same thing could happen to anyone, I disagree. And I think that all Wilbon is saying is that Sean's history put him at risk for people in his circle striking against him.