Welcome to another edition of The Chat House where Post columnist Michael Wilbon talks about the latest in sports. How did the Washington Redskins play against the Chicago Bears? The Redskins finally ended their season losing streak by beating Chicago, 13-10, yesterday. What is the latest developments in D.C. baseball? What is the latest in the Yankees vs. Red Sox rivalry in the ALCS?
Join Wilbon online Monday, Oct. 18, at 1:30 p.m. ET to talk about the latest about baseball in the nation's capital, this weekend's NFL games and all things sports.
Michael Wilbon.
(The Washington Post)
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Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
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Lexington Park, Md.:
Good column today, but one that made me worry. Is the Skin defense getting to the point where they feel that they have to win the game? It seems that when you get to that point the defense is going to take some bigger risks, be it going for more interceptions instead of deflecting the ball, and trying to strip it instead of making the tackle. That means there's more of a chance for a big play to go against the defense. Too much aggressiveness will cause this.
Are the coaches worried about this? Or will they be able to keep the defense aggressive, but not to the point of making huge mistakes looking for the big play?
Michael Wilbon: Hey everybody...Sorry we had to delay for an hour but I'm just getting in from Chicago..And this first question is a really good one. How much should a defense be responsible for? That's what I was asking Gregg Williams, Greg Blache, Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot yesterday after the game. Of course, having played between a 7 and 9 1/2 every week for six weeks, they think they can do more and should do more. I don't believe they think they are going to start gambling for interceptions and that sort of thing.
What Blache talked to me about was blocking after turnovers, after recovering fumbles and picking off passes. Tampa Bay made an art of it for five or six seasons. We'll see how the Redskins do. But aggression in a defense is rarely bad. And remember, when LaVar comes back and Phillip Daniels comes back and Andre Lott comes back they should be able to rotate guys a little more, keeping them fresh, and they should be more aggressive if Williams wants to do that in the fourth quarter.
But I'm a firm believer in building a team defense-first. The Patriots defense gets little credit, but that defense was better than the offense in both Super Bowl seasons. We know about the Ravens defense, and the Tampa Bay defense...The offense ain't good, so you go with your strength, right?
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Florida:
Hey, how bad is Ohio State???
Michael Wilbon: Well, after my Northwestern Wildcats beat Ohio State to give the Buckeyes their first loss, I was hoping they would stay up in the top 20. But the Buckeyes aren't good at all. And you have to wonder about Jim Tressel's recruiting. He won that national title two years ago with John Cooper's players...So Tressel, great as he appeared to be two years ago, had better come up with some recruits ASAP. They can't run the ball. The defense hasn't replaced the kind of speed in the secondary it had two years ago...
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Gianesville, Fla.:
So was U VA overrated?
Michael Wilbon: No. Virginia going to Florida and beating FSU would have been an upset, regardless of the rankings. The Florida schools have so much more speed than Virginia and even more than Maryland. Miami will probably beat Virginia up here in Charlottesville in a couple of weeks, though playing at home should help the Cavs. Look, the best players in college football (except the positino of quarterback) play in the state of Florida. So it's not like we should ever say some school should go down there and beat FSU or Miami. Oklahoma and USC wouldn't go down there and beat Miami, and perhaps not FSU which is not in the top 5 in most of these polls I'm seeing today.
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Bethesda, Md.:
What happened to you guys with Redskins Report this past weekend?
Michael Wilbon: I left town for Chicago on Friday, so I'm not exactly sure to what you're speaking...but I think the show appeared on Friday night, not Saturday, if that's what you mean. There are a couple of weeks per season we appear on Friday on Channel 4 and not Saturday.
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Washington D.C.:
Is it just me, or does it seem like Mark Brunell cannot throw an entire game? I think he tries a couple deep throws in the first half just to keep the defense honest, but as the game progresses his arm is thrown out. Gibbs should get Ramsey ready these two weeks so we can have a decent passing attack. That is the strenght of the offense, our receivers.
Michael Wilbon: Okay, as I look at the question que, I realize about 30 percent of these questions concern 1)Brunell 2)the offense 3)playing the third-string guy.
So, we'll do One Big Quarterback answer right here.
For starters, Brunell ain't what he used to be when he was a strong-armed, mobile machine of a quarterback who was leading Jacksonville to two AFC Championship games. At that time he was sort of a poor man's Steve Young, and I don't mean a real poor man. The guy was a stud. But injuries have taken away most of his physical attributes.
Now, I watch a lot of football and I know some stuff independently. But largely, I rely on listening to smart players and ex-players, coaches and ex-coaches...and I've had defensive players from the Giants, Browns and Bears tell me that this Brunell ain't the guy they played against six and seven years ago. They say they prepare, during the week, to stuff Clinton Portis because they see on film that Brunell cannot get the ball downfield with any accuracy or consistency.
Again, these are defensive players I trust telling me this, and in one case a coach.
Now, do I think Ramsey is the Big Answer?
I don't. The kid's got a huge arm and a huge amount of courage, the way he stands in there. But, opposing players don't think he has any feel for the game and they think he holds onto the ball way, way, way too long.
Why do you think Gibbs was intent on getting a quarterback when he came in. What, Gibbs didn't see the same stuff on film these defensive coaches saw?
Yes, I'd be getting Hasselbeck ready. I would. He's shown himself to be fairly mobile, like his brother. And while he doesn't have a cannon, he appears to be fairly accurate.
Having said all that, I wouldn't do anything going into the bye-week and coming off a victory but put Brunell back in there...I'd see what a week off and a week to prepare for another ordinary team--Green Bay--will do for Brunell. He's not that old, at 34. But maybe the injuries took more a toll than many folks (including me) expected.
By the way, Riggins says that Ramsey would be more certain of himself if he wasn't looking over his shoulder at Brunell or anybody else. Perhaps we'll see. Until then, it's defense, defense, defense and Clinton Portis...
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Washington, D.C.:
As a long-time Bears fan, do you think their season is basically over?
Michael Wilbon: No, the Bears' season isn't basically over. IT'S OVER! Right now, it's over. That Quinn kid is the worst quarterback I've ever seen. Okay, if he's not the worst ever, he's on the short list for worst ever. I'm okay with it, because I think there are so many things that team needs to settle, install, work on, the rest of this season. And hopefully, Rex Grossman (who I like, not love) will come back 100 percent next season. But not having a veteran backup quarterback killed their season, for which the GM (jerry Angelo), the coach (Lovie Smith) and the offensive coordinator who convinced them to go with Quinn (Terry Shea) have to be held accountable.
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Washington, D.C.:
Hi Mike,
Do you think coming off the bye week and looking ahead to the teams next ten games, this team could really develop some character and evolve into a good team with a strong running game and stout defense all season?
Michael Wilbon: What do you think they already are? The Redskins are No. 1 in the NFC in defense, and No. 2 in the NFL, behind only Denver. Stop with the "character" stuff. Only guys in the locker room know what that means, and the really honest guys in there will tell you they don't know half the time what to make of it. Is T.O. a "character guy?" Or is he just one helluva receiver? The Redskins have no choice but to be a defense-and-run-the-ball team this season. Maybe next season, something else will dictate their personality, but not this season. Defense, run, period.
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Washington, D.C.:
Will the Redskins be the next team to beat the Patriots since no one has beat them since the Redskins did?
Michael Wilbon: Well, the Redskins would only get the Patriots in the Super Bowl, and I don't see that happening. The Jets could beat the Patriots this week. The Patriots, remember, have to play in The Meadowlands against the Jets, in Indy against the Colts. I don't see the Patriots going undefeated, but how important is that in the chase for a championship? I think, if I'm not mistaken, the Patriots also play the Ravens, although Kyle Boller's utter lack of development is trouble for Baltimore. I think the Patriots are the best team in the NFL, and finishing 13-3 or 14-2 will confirm that. - Tory
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Brooklyn, N.Y.:
I'm questioning the worth of giving a roster spot to a
return specialist like Chad Morton. I don't blame him for
the lack of game-breaking plays this season, but I don't
really see him doing anything that couldn't be done by a
more useful all-around player like James Thrash.
Michael Wilbon: Great point...He hasn't done anything...nothing. If you're going to play with a bad passing offense, you've got to play better special teams.
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State College, Pa.:
Mike,
You've mentioned before that, as a sportswriter, you
root for the story and not necessarily particular
teams. So, I was wondering which story is better
(easier? more fun?) for you to write -- dominant
teams that win (e.g., Pats, Yanks), or underdogs who
come through (e.g. '02 Angels).
PS Which restaurants did you hit back in the Windy
City? I'm missing my Italian beef sandwiches ...
Michael Wilbon: I went to a place called MKs in the north suburbs (my brother lives in Glenview and I stayed with him) which was fabulous. There apparently is a MKs downtown, too, with which I'm not familiar. Anyway, it's easier to write any team--underdog and dominant--which has characters. The '85 Bears, the Lakers of Shaq and Kobe, the Miami Hurricanes. Personalities always make it easier. Talkers give life to a season. Now, drama writes itself sometime. Big fights, 7th Games. I root for my hometown teams--Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks and Northwestern, of course--but other than that, it's drama, and (okay, I'll admit it) people I like for one reason or another...coaches or players who I've grown to respect for their professionalism or something they've done with their lives...None of this stuff is exact. I'm sure there's so boring-as-hell team with no player or coach I know that I've had some fondness, but I can't think of one off the top of my head.
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Hyattsville, Md.:
Mr. Wilbon, do you think that Steve Spurrier could be successful in Miami with a solid defense and a very early '05 draft pick?Thanks.
Michael Wilbon: Okay, let's do this once: I cannot believe Steve Spurrier is going to the Dolphins. I haven't talked to him (well, I have, but about golf, not football) but I cannot believe it. Tony, do you believe it?
"No. He wouldn't do it for the money, because he's already done it for the money. There just seems, to me, to be nothing that can lure him back to the NFL. Seems to me it was a disaster. So why do it again? He doesn't have to prove anything. He's one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football."
Yep, that about sums it up for me, too.
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Vienna, Va.:
Hey Michael!; Do you think the skins have a shot at getting to 4-4? Green Bay seems like a big test, we'll have to break to 20 point barrier. Seems like if we do this we'll have a good shot at 4-4 and then obvioulsy we'll be in the hunt!;
Michael Wilbon: The Redskins are in every single game. Yes, the Redskins can get to 4-4. Isn't their immediate schedule Packers, Lions, Bengals, or something like that? What championship team is in that group. That said, they could lose those games 17-14 like the did to Cleveland and the Giants, where the defense is just treading water trying to give up field goals and not touchdowns because Portis is dropping it on the ground or Ramsey/Brunell is throwing it to a guy in the wrong jersey. But would you rather be close and have a chance to win every game, or reylying on offense in 35-17 games like the last two years.
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McLean, Va.:
Hey Mike,
How good is the Redskins defense? They've shut down just about every team they've played, but at the same time they haven't played a really good offense yet. Top 3? 5? 10?
Michael Wilbon: If you just beat the teams that stink on your schedule, you can go 9-7. Carolina beat, I think, one team with a winning record on the way to the Super Bowl last season. If the Redskins had simply beaten Cleveland they'd be 3-3 now and in the thick of it...or beaten the Cowboys, who aren't chopped liver, but nothing special either.
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Adelphi, Md.:
Hey Michael,
Referring to an earlier response, you said that the Patriots have to play the Colts in Indy. Is that true? Didnt they already play each other, and arent they in different divisions now (the Colts in the AFC south right)? Maybe I'm all confused from the old AFC East lineup.
Michael Wilbon: Good catch: I had my old NFC East flashback, when the Colts are now, of course, in the AFC South. I'm told the Patriots have to play at Pittsburgh, at St. Louis and of course, at the Jets...That's good stuff, there, hoss.
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Arlington, Va.:
So how would you rate Freddy Adu's season so far? I think the kid has done a great job, and hope he keeps at it.
Michael Wilbon: Didn't I just read where Freddie entered a game in the 80th minute? If so, that's insane. Tony and I are of one mind on this one--and we're of one mind on few things--that to sell this kid as the Savior and then not play him was completely misleading to everybody...If Adu had played, I'd have paid much more attention, especially because we all know how good Kevin Payne is at what he does...but to have this kid on the bench, please...
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Bethesda, Md.:
Mike,
What do you think of the new QB for Pittsburgh? I saw the game against Dallas yesterday and it was difficult to believe he was a rookie.
Michael Wilbon: This kid, Roethlisberger (did I spell his name right) was the best of the QBs coming out in the draft, I thought. And he's proving it now. Eli Manning was never better than Big Ben...not to me. The Steelers are so happy they could spit. With that defense and special teams, the Steelers are an absolute threat now, don't you think?
I mean, for Parcells to say he's the best QB prospect he's seen since Marino...MARINO??? Jaworski said the same thing, pretty much, when Tony and I called him the other day just as he emerged from the Film Vault...It's always good to watch a good young quarterback emerge...just like Culpepper and McNabb...But Big Ben is going to have some difficult days, trust me. Some defenses are going to get ahold of him and make him look like a rookie, and sooner rather than later. But he's a keeper.
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Washington, D.C.:
Michael… Do you think opponents of the new DC baseball stadium could cause us to lose the team? Some of these people (especially Adrian Fenty) seem to think that since an announcement has already been made and plans for the move have already begun, we can now play hardball with baseball and try to change the terms of the agreement we made to get the team. I don't think they understand how easily baseball could reconsider its decision and announce that DC was only a temporary (rather than permanent) home for the team, and they could possibly end up somewhere else in a year or two. As someone who has waited a generation and a half for DC to get a team back, should I be worried about what these politicians are doing?
Michael Wilbon: We'll end with this one...a great question. And yes, I think you should worry. I think all these pols, some of whom are personal friends of mine, are short-sighted when they talk about the stadium issue. I don't see any of them putting together financing deals for these schools and libraries they keep yelling about. It's all garbage, and I've told a couple of my buddies that to their faces.
D.C. needs renovation. And people just don't invest in neighborhoods randomly. No, stadiums don't produce jobs as these university professors like to point out. But the restaurants and clubs and retail businessness built around them do, and anybody who says 7th St. hasn't produced jobs around MCI is a liar and blind to boot. Then again, D.C.'s politicians never have had much vision, even the great ones like Marion Barry in his prime.
If they so concerned about schools and libaries--and they should be--then come up with creative financing deals for $400 million to build some new schools. But they don't do that. They need to get on a plane--all the naysayers including my friend and colleague Sally Jenkins--and go to Denver or Cleveland and see how cities in desperate need of a substative change, were reinvigorated.
No form of entertainment is ever created for a city's poorest people...not baseball, not basketball, not football, not movie theaters, nothing. D.C. needs jobs to be created, and rich people to spend money in The District, particularly those from Maryland and Virginia...But yes, you have reason to worry the hot-air brigade will ruin this.
Okay, have fun and we'll chat next week.
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