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First Wizard/Capital in history?

Good morning, all! Let's get going...

The Caps aren't niche in Washington, but hockey is not a sport that is widely followed and understood in this country the way football, basketball and baseball is. It just isn't. And that's what I was discussing; the possibility of a season without the NFL is going to be more upsetting, AROUND THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, than a season without hockey. And if you don't believe that, I would be surprised.  That doesn't translate as lunatic fringe; it means hockey's popularity is not as widespread as other sports. That in part is becauase there are parts of the country where hockey is simply not played. That's not the fault of hockey, necessarily, and certainly not hockey fans. But it's the truth.

Honestly, equating "niche sport" with "lunatic fringe" is apples and anvils.

I would also say that "main stream media" is just a cliched as niche sport, or perhaps moreso. Write a column decrying the lack of hockey, get accused of being anti-hockey, or not knowing anything about hockey, etc. etc. Kind of funny. Or not.

I like your version better than what I found online, which is "Here we go Steelers, here we go." Um....

Thus endeth our Steelers fun facts for the day.

I think an argument could be made for splitting the Heisman into two awards, one for offensive players and one for defensive players. I'm not sure a defensive player can win this award so why pretend it's for the best player in college football? As for Manziel, like most things, the voting is more of a "What have you done for me lately?" Klein needed to go unbeaten to win it and even then it might have been tough. Not believe he wasn't worthy, but it's tough to get votes out there on the Plains.

Well, yes. MSM gets thrown around so much now that it has no meaning.

I thought the fact that Brown's mother is embracing Brent was an uplifting story of forgiveness, and completely her business, but as far as the team goes, they've got to treat all of these cases the same.

Next time just set fire to your money. Why would you play lottery numbers I suggested? I am the kiss of death!

TV viewers. This is a large market. The Big Ten network would like to have offerings for this area, so it can sell itself to more cable companies as part of the basic package rather than an add-on. More money for them.

That was pretty discouraging, although if Michael Lee is to be believed -- and he is -- that was Ted's call, not Ernie's.

I was stunned it got as much attention as it did. It's so seldom I hear the Royals mentioned. I hope it means good things to come.

Thanks! And my reaction is, about time!

Dark, but true. I've never understood how guys who play 16 or so games a season need any kind of extra inventive to get "up" for games (or extra medications, either) but that's just me.

Think how outraged you'll be if Vilna wins his lawsuit against the league. (I don't expect that to  happen, but one never knows.)

I am underwhelmed as well but also not ready to leap to conclusions about the kid based on 19 games with a bad team missing 1.5 of its "stars." The fact another team was interested in acquiring him in a trade is interesting, too.

Eliminating kickoffs helps the Skins tremendously. Forbath can just continue to hit field goals and forget the rest of it. (I do  not like the proposal because it eliminates onside kicks, which as exciting. But I'm afraid to come out against it for fear of it being immediately implemented.

Nice!

Of course there are defensive awards, but none has the weight of the Heisman. I'm not saying Manti should have won; I'm just suggesting an alternative.

Beats me. Perhaps.

I'm not sure, but I'm positive it isn't against the law to ride drunk. Why any pro athlete doesn't use a driver is beyond me. They can afford it.

Wrote the previous answer then saw this. Amen. We used to have the occasional "sports babes" outings to Camden Yards. Chipped in for a limo each time. So worth it.

And at a time when 50% of your team holdings are not playing at all? Beats me.

I am not sure Washington will ever by 5-for-5. That's a hard one to pull off. But it would be nice to be in the running.

No idea where that comes from. Too busy chatting to ask. :)

I confess I have not. Is there someone you'd like me to jinx? Let me know!

This is sort of how I feel about my alma mater. One of the reasons I'm so discouraged about the college sports landscape.

Wait -- video of the Racing Presidents doing the Nutcracker? Got a link?

I have never understood why it is so important that everyone like what you like. Soccer people want all people to like soccer. Hockey people want all people to like soccer. I can't remember ever telling anyone "you have to like football because I do!" Or "you have to read this book". I would recommend a book but not be torn apart if my friend said, "eh, no thanks."

And this is from someone who misses hockey and wants it back, and who 30 years ago had never seen a game. I do think the Caps have a very loyal following in this town. But it's an in or out thing. My dad will go to his grave having never seen a hockey game and I wouldn't waste 2 minutes of my time trying to convince him otherwise, because I respect his ability to make that decision for himself.

Yes, it's like an onside kick but it's not an onside kick. you just hand the ball to the official and jog off. There isn't an actual KICK that has to bounce 10 yards before it can be touched. I like that.

Hey, DM, have one for me. I am off alcohol for now and the foreseeable future. I have no idea what's on the Christmas menu. We may be going out. We may be eating in. Our Christmas is sort of up in the air. But I'll be home Saturday and get that all sorted out! Well, I can say with certainty it won't be turkey. My mom hates turkey and it's her kitchen. If she cooks, it'll be ham.

There's a huge difference, in that one is a KICK and one is NOT. This is not keeping me up at night or anything, but it is not apples and apples.

Well, let's hope that's not true. My editor and I were discussing this topic this morning. He points out that the new owners come in with some much more debt than owners had to assume even in Angelos's day and certainly before, that they approach the game differently. Not a lot of guys inheriting their football teams. And fewer guys with local ties, who see the team as not just a business but an extension of their communities. That would be a Lamar Hunt, for instance, or an Abe Pollin, who made his money here and cared about the area.

Thank you, you are right. That is a service the league provides. No argument, no excuse.

You know I won't go political, but this seemed apolitical in tone so ... judges will allow! Thank you -- I like the Hendy New Year! That's a guy I've missed during the lockout.

I don't get the impression he feels like ending his pro career 13 games in just to show how tough he is. I don't think he's reckless. I also think he'll be cleared to play. Which means he's out for the season. Sigh.

They'd be welcome! :)

What, Charlie Weiss isn't a candidate? Damn.

And yet still found a way to get into trouble. :)

There are certainly arguments in its favor.

Ha! That's funny. And wrong. Thank you.

Taking the Colts to 9-4 is amazing. My one knock on Luck is that he has had some bad games (like four picks bad). He's not been as consistent as RGIII.

Yup, good for them.

Exactly. It's not a knock on hockey and certainly not on its loyal fans. It's just the way things are.

You would think a guy who can boot 50-yarders on a nap has a strong enough leg to kick a ball off the tee a lot further than that, but perhaps not.

It will be interesting to see how positions change if the new rules go in. I would want an expanded roster, because you'd be carrying a kicker for nothing but field goals and a kick returner for almost nothing but punt returns.

Very true. But they're European; you can find something to mock in return, surely! :)

Ah, yes, thanks, I meant to mention that as well. It should be based on a player's performance during one season.

If the NBA lockout had eaten 43% of the season, you'd have heard a lot of talk. But it's true, some places I'm sure there are Caps fans who are commiserating with each other. I think the poster was giving an example from his/her experience, not declaring that it was that way all across the land.

It's always a good idea, when met with intolerance, to answer with intolerance. That always solves the situation.

I don't think  it's assumed that all Americans like football and college sports. In fact, I never assume people even follow sports. I'll meet someone and if they can pry out of me what I do (and yes, I don't volunteer it) they will sometimes apologize for not reading me because they don't like sports. Good gravy, I don't expect them to! I'm a live and let live gal. In fact, I enjoy meeting people who want to talk about something other than sports. Nice change of pace.

I have been working in this biz for 30 years and I've never once said to someone, "how can you not like sports?" (or a specific sport, or anything else, for that matter). I don't understand out intolerance of anyone who holds different opinions than ours. Who cares? 

I do think that giving people a hard time for something that so infuriates you is sort of self-defeating, though.

Not quite what I pictured but cute.

Love the name. Good luck!

DM: The draft is important, but so far, how's that working out? The difference in the players you cite is simple: baseball and football have HUGE drafts, and baseball has a farm system. The NBA ... doesn't. Building solely through the draft is almost impossible. Sure, the Wizards have made some bad deals. Getting James Harden, IMO, would not have made that list.

Thanks, 405! I wish you all a happy holiday season and I'll be looking forward to Jan. 3 -- hopefully we can discuss the end of the lockout, among other things!