The Chat House with Michael Wilbon

Sports News

Welcome to another edition of The Chat House, where Post columnist Michael Wilbon was online Monday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. ET to take your questions about the Redskins loss to the Giants, Plaxico Burress's gun safety, the different perceptions about NFL and NBA players and more.

A transcript follows.

Discussion Archive * Column Archive * Talking Points Videos

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washingtonpost.com: Michael will start taking questions around 1:30 p.m. ET

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Fairfax, Va.: When is Jason Campbell going to be benched? The Skins won five in a row last season as Todd Collins was magically able to see the whole field and run the offense smoother than ever. Jason can't handle the pressure of a blitzing defense. He checked down before looking at options 2 and 3 on a regular basis yesterday. I hate to ask the question but should we give Todd Collins a shot?

Michael Wilbon: Ha! I knew it. I predicted the very first question today would be from some Screaming Mimi who wants something radical to be done because the Redskins lost a game to a superior team. I knew it. I shouldn't give myself too much credit, though, because it's so predictable that most NFL fans would behave this way, especially people who identify themselves as Redskins, who seem to be more knee-jerk than most...Hi everybody. I'm here eating a very light lunch because I STUFFED MYSELF LIKE A PIG for three days over the weekend...Only one treadmill session (40 minutes) during the three days, so I'm in trouble (like most of you, I trust)...Anyway, we'll start with the Redskins and what I think is wrong with them and check in on Georgetown-Maryland, the Wizards and their new coach, Ed Tapscott, and a few other things...

Please, stop with the benching the QB nonsense. The Redskins aren't good enough on either line to play power football, which is what the Giants do best, what Dallas and the Steelers do very well...Stop. Line play. If the Redskins stop drafting WRs and trading good draft picks for WRs, then maybe their line play would allow them to be better. Clinton Portis PLAYS HIS HEART OUT every single down. The guy is amazing. His line isn't good enough. They try hard. They're smart. They want to do it...They give it everything they've got. And they're not good enough. Did you watch the Giants? Did you watch the Vikings last night manhandle the Bears in quite a few situations? That's line play, boys and girls. The Redskins can't pound the QB, even though their guys get after it pretty good. The Redskins are 7-5 good...not 10-2 good. They're okay, pretty good, might-make-the-playoffs-but-probably-not good...but they're not great and the QB ain't the problem. Neither is the RB. Neither is the coach. The WRs could be better...but are Tennessee's WRs any better? No. Their lines are better. Both of them. A lot better.

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San Francisco: How soon should the Giants cut Plaxico Burress? Before or after lunch on the West Coast?

Michael Wilbon: After hearing Mayor Bloomberg say that Plaxico would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, seems likely to me Mr. Plax has seen his last day in a Giants uniform, and you won't hear a single word of objection here. At best, he's troubled and needs help. At worst, he's a moron who needs to be shown the door. Either way, he's a luxury the Giants can't afford. And in the context of sports, they should spend very little time fretting over it because they can win without him, and have...It's a sad, sad story and the world is lucky nobody besides Plaxico got hurt.

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Arlington, Va.: How ironic and sad that as Sean Taylor is being remembered another football player is recovering from a gunshot wound that could have produced similar results. Fortunately Burress did not lose his life but may have lost his career.

Equally sad is the selection by Taylor's family of music for his tribute at FedEx Field including lyrics glorifying gunplay. The cult of violence in pro sports is alive and well.

Michael Wilbon: I didn't hear the musical selection yesterday, but thanks for your comment. Thanks very much.

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Washington, D.C.: Maybe the clamoring of Terps fans demanding to face Georgetown will now die down a little bit?

Michael Wilbon: Ah, yeah. I'd say that would (should) be the case. That was a nice victory Maryland had over Michigan State, which I believe was ranked No. 6 at the time...But the rest of the weekend didn't go so well. Georgetown hammered Maryland like the Giants hammered the Redskins. Wasn't close. Too bad, too, because I've been to Maryland-Georgetown games both here in the D.C. area and a long way from home (Boise) which crackled with anticipation and great play. This event had neither.

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Washington, D.C.: Are you as amazed as I am that the NFL can have such bad PR lately and have it mean nothing? Larry Johnson, Michael Vick, Pacman Jones. If Plaxico Burress was an NBA player we'd be hearing nonstop about the league's "thug" problem.

Michael Wilbon: Great observation, and right on the money. When professional football players have problems they are simply pro football players having problems. When it's a basketball player, it becomes open season, especially for conservatives who in general favor football over basketball, to pontificate on how those "thug basketball players" reflect the ills or urban American, black America, overpaid athletes, etc, etc, etc. We should all know what drives the agenda of these conversations, or the differences in the conversations. They are pretty thinly veiled.

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Maryland: Obviously benching Campbell is a bad idea, but are you even the least bit concerned with the lack of progress he seems to have made throughout the season? It wasn't the offensive line's fault he waited far too long on that deep ball to Moss and threw an INT.

Michael Wilbon: Campbell is a work in progress. Who doesn't know that? We all know that. The point is, the Redskins can't dominate the line on either side, at a time when the best teams in the league (Giants, Titans, Steelers, Ravens) can. This isn't debatable. Watch the games, not just the QBs.

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Arlington, Va.: It's irritating when some fans react out of proportion to the game, but after all they are "fans" -- short for "fanatic." But it is even more irritating when sports media members tar all fans with the same brush. Please stop dumping on Redskins fans. As many as you interact with, it is no where near enough to make broad generalizations. There are wide spectrum of Redskin fans. Some are donkeys, but some are passionate but reasonable.

This particular passionate but reasonable fan says this: the Redskins are paying today for the past 8 years of squandering draft picks. That second-round pick that they gave up with Champ Bailey to get Clinton Portis could have been a solid, starting defensive tackle. They gave up several picks to sign restricted free agents. They could have been decent back up linebackers to replace Marcus Washington. They gave up a second-rounder (I think) to get the useless Jason Taylor. They need to stop squandering picks, but we can expect a couple more lean years before they transition to sound team-building practices.

Michael Wilbon: Thanks...But if I think it's necessary to make an observation about Redskins fans, or Wizards fans, or Maryland fans, or Georgetown fans, etc., I'm going to do it, hopefully with strong anecdotal evidence or factual evidence (Steelers fans taking over FedEx Field) to make my point. Sorry...As for your observation about the draft picks, you're spot on. There's simply no disagreeing with a word you said.

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Rockville, Md.: Despite the blowout, wouldn't you agree that a annual Georgetown-Maryland matchup would be fantastic for the teams, for the sport and for the area? Most years it would be a close, entertaining game.

Michael Wilbon: I think it should be an annual game but the powers-that-be at the two schools are never going to see it the same way...Okay, maybe never is a bit strong...But not anytime soon.

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Anonymous: Though I agree with your assessment on how NFL players are treated versus NBA players, it also reflects how the NFL treats it players. In the NFL, players are disposable and replaceable. Look at ATL and Vick. He's fast becoming a memory. Conversely, the NBA builds it league as players are more marketable. In this scenario the NBA would have egg on its face. For the NFL, they sit back and say nothing then Goodell will come out with a hammer.

Michael Wilbon: You mean like reinstating Pacman Jones already? Boy, that was some hammer. I agree with your assertion, that NBA players have a larger profile, by league design. But that doesn't change the nature of misbehavior and what it means to both the larger culture and any subcultures.

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Washington, D.C.: If he comes cheaply, why not Marbury? I mean, this season seems hopeless, and well, in addition to losing, the Wizards are dull.

Might as well go for the long shot, no?

Michael Wilbon: Uh...in a word...No. Let me amend that. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Hell no. You don't want Marbury anywhere near that locker room. Starbury would have to go someplace where there are strong and established stars both on the court/locker room and on the bench...If you had Phil and Kobe to beat him down, fine...or Shaq and Wade and Riles a couple of years ago...okay. But not here, not with the Wizards.

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Fairfax, Va.: Where do you come down on the whole Starbury situation? Seems like there is no love lost between the two, but part of me thinks that Mr. Marbury is more in the wrong here. If a coach asks you to play, you should play. He acts as if he was given an "option" as opposed to an "order," and therefore feels his actions are justified. If I'm his teammate, I feel betrayed in a way. Do you agree, or am I missing something?

Michael Wilbon: I never thought Steph was going to play for Mike D'Antoni, who shipped Marbury out of Phoenix when he first arrived there (opening up cap room, by the way, for Steve Nash). The Knicks should have gotten rid of him before the season. Should have just cut him. What's $21 million to Madison Square Garden? It's nothing. The drama the Knicks are stuck with now is their own fault for not dumping him earlier.

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Washington, D.C.: Mr. Wilbon,

I've noticed on occasion that topics or questions (and your answers) from the chat will show up on the PTI program that afternoon. Do you ever use the chat as a sounding board for PTI, or get ideas of an interesting take on the day's sports issues from the chat? Or does what you're thinking about for PTI drive which questions you choose?

Michael Wilbon: It's neither really. People are asking me about the important topics of the day and I'm answering, and when similar topics come up on PTI I've already thought about the issues and the answers are going to sound similar...unless I've completely changed my mind between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., which, believe me, is possible. I have some knowledge of what we're going to discuss on PTI, but the local issues (like the Redskins and GU vs. Md.) aren't going to come up on a national show, which is what PTI is, so some of it has no crossover appeal.

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Washington, D.C.: Mr. Wilbon, do you feel like professional athletes (Redskins in particular) are as passionate about winning and bringing pride to the cities that they play in as us fans? Or do they have the "I'm already paid, why play hard" mentality. I hate seeing them slapping hands and smiling with opposing players after an extremely subpar performance...meanwhile my blood pressure is through the roof.

Michael Wilbon: They're 100 times more passionate than you are, most of them, in the moment...Doesn't mean they're going to mope for a week when they've got families, children waiting for them at home asking for a hug or a piggy-back ride or help with homework. I would never make the case that I'm more passionate about the Bears than, say, Brian Urlacher. That would be insane. I've lived with the Bears longer than he has...And if he gets traded he'll be able to drop it instantly. So it's different in that manner. But professional athletes loved playing the sport they play long before they received their first paycheck. It would be like a reader saying he or she cares more about what's in The Washington Post than I do...Very, very, very doubtful.

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New York: Any thoughts on the MLB Hall of Fame Ballot released today? Rickey Henderson is a no-brainer correct?

Michael Wilbon: Uh, no...Okay, I won't do that to you...Rickey Henderson is not only a first-ballot HOF, he's the leadoff hitter on the All-Time team...okay, maybe Ty Cobb is...But Henderson is right there.

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Hampton: Will you take a UVa athletics question? I know the Hoos are highly competitive in countless sports, but not in the two highest profile sports: football and basketball. They're stuck in mediocrity. Given that they're handicapped with academic standards that teams like Maryland or Va Tech don't have to deal with, how do they get competitive? Should they just be happy with their tennis and polo teams?

Michael Wilbon: This is a tough question for me. My wife is a Wahoo...so I quietly root for Virginia to be good. Plus, I've known a great many coaches there, the current A.D. who I think is very capable. Look, it's harder at UVA, just like it is Northwestern...and for reasons you already state. It doesn't mean you just give up and don't try. The basketball team has been great in our lifetime and I think the current coach, Dave Leito, is the right person to get them back to consistent postseason play...The football situation is a little harder for me to understand, and I see Al Groh wasn't given the automatic rollover extension, which I think is the right move. Virgina isn't going to be Tennessee or Florida. It can't be and shouldn't be, but it can bubble up from time to time in the two revenue producing sports.

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Washington: Can we PLEASE get some new Thanksgiving Day NFL matchups? Tradition for tradition's sake has never made any sense to me. I'm soooo tired of seeing Detroit and Dallas play.

Can't they choose a mathcup that might make a good game? Or one that has at least a rivalry?

Michael Wilbon: They can sure as heck do better than Seattle-Dallas, which in the best of times for the Seahawks does nothing. Redskins-Cowboys, good. Giants-Cowboys, good. Seahawks? And I'm sorry, but I don't think the NFL should take anything away from Detroit, given what is happening to the economy in the state of Michigan. No chance. The Big Three have been partners with the NFL forever, going back to when they were in great shape and the NFL was crawling and trying to walk. Now, you want the NFL to bail on Ford, GM and Chrysler? After, what, 70 years of partnership. Sorry, I don't believe in that.

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Herndon, Va.: Mr. Mike: You are so right! Rickey Henderson is one of the top "no brainers" (in every sense of the word) to ever be a candidate for the Hall of Fame.

Michael Wilbon: You feel better now that you've insulted Rickey Henderson? For what? Why? Did he offend you somehow? You think Ty Cobb was a brain surgeon? Ooops, now I've done it. Shame on you. They were both good enough to give baseball fans about 40 years, combined, of entertainment. What did you ever do for baseball fans?

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re: double standards: Mike,

I think the double standard toward football isn't just involving off-the-field violence. Look at PEDs. In baseball, people like Bonds and Clemens might not make the HOF. In football, people hardly bring up Merriman and Harrison and likely a boatload of linemen that have failed tests.

Football can only do wrong it seems when a Congressman is upset about not seeing his local team on free TV.

Michael Wilbon: Ha! Thank you...you make a necessary point.

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Washington, D.C.: The Georgetown vs. Maryland thing is a perfect example of what is missing in the D.C. sports scene. Much as I hate to appreciate anything about Philly sports, a Big-Five style network in this town would do an awful lot for level of excitement around local college hoops. Seems to me that GW and UMD used to play pretty frequently. Throw in Howard and American and you might not have the history and the tradition of the Big 5, but you would have the makings of a pretty local scene that D.C. could call it's own. What do you think?

Michael Wilbon: I think what you think. Of course I do...But it's not going to happen, which is unfortunate.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Michael,

Even though you have loyalty to the Chicago teams, do you feel happy living in the DC area and do you think you will continue to make your home here?

BTW -- It's shocking that you are 50 considering you look about 35.

Michael Wilbon: You think I wasn't going to publish this question, with those kind words at the end??? Thank you. I'm old. Now, am I leaving? Why would I? I've lived here since June 14, 1980...I mean, if I get fired from everything and am forced to go someplace and make a living I guess I would go back to Chicago...But I'm hoping I don't screw it up enough for that to happen. My big decision right now is whether my 8-month old would be accepted to attend Georgetown Prep and/or Gonzaga, and where he'd go if accepted to both. That's a 14-year look-ahead, so I'm not planning on going anywhere. Chicago will always be "home" to me, but I've had chances to go a lot of places and never have, so life here must be pretty darned good.

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"I hate seeing them slapping hands and smiling with opposing players": To the guy who sent in that question: You hate to see sportsmanship? These players are out there beating themselves up for your enjoyment and then you expect them to ignore their opponents and friends and mope about it for a week afterward? I'm sure they have their emotions right where they need to be. If your blood pressure is through the roof, maybe you need to realize that a sport that you aren't even participating in should not be a life and death situation for you.

Michael Wilbon: Thank you very, very much for that reasoned response.

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Herndon, Va.: Mr. Mike: I'm always amazed at people in all walks of life who have carry weapons for "protection" when they have no idea how to handle them, and put themselves, and others in more danger than if they carried nothing. I have a firearm at home, it's locked, and most important, I know how to use it SAFELY. If you can't do that, just carry a two-by-four; everyone will be better off.

Michael Wilbon: Yes, sir. Thank you.

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Fairfax, Va.: Mr. Wilbon,

Love your nationwide success and willingness to continue with George Michael's show. It was a treat to lob you a hot one regarding the Jason Campbell issue. Thanks for leading off the chat with it!

Michael Wilbon: Ha! You got me. Nailed me...Okay, I can appreciate that. (Ouch!)

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Washington, D.C.: Thoughts on Gilbert's sideline fashion? I was unsure at first, but the ballroom ties have been growing on me... whaddya call it? An Ascot tie?

washingtonpost.com: Gilbert Arenas

Michael Wilbon: I think Gilbert is on the short list of best dressed players in professional sports today...he looks great all the time, whether he's in jeans, a jacket and a cashmere vest, or an ascot as was the case the other night. Very smart. Maybe Gilbert will make it onto Robin Givhan's radar and the nation's best fashion/culture/style critic will write about Gil...

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Manassas, Va.: How about a little love for Dr. Z, who had a few strokes this past week.

The guy can be a curmudgeon, but he has added some great perspective to football over these many years...

Michael Wilbon: Wow...I didn't know that. I'm so sorry to hear that. I've known Paul Zimmerman (Dr. Z) my entire career. He's a giant...seriously, a god to sportswriters. I got to sit on the Pro Football HOF panel with him for 10 years...I didn't know this, and will have to log onto SI.com and read Peter King immediately...This is pretty jarring news to me, and will be to Tony K, though I would suspect he already knows since he's on the football trail now, in Houston.

Sorry to end on this down note, but let's wish all the best to Dr. Z in his recovery, and I'll see you for next week's chat same time, same channel on Monday...Have a great week everybody...MW

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Farmington, Conn.: Did you see Derrick Rose tear up the hardwood last night? Is it too early to knock all the people who said that the Bulls should take Beasley over Rose in the draft?

Michael Wilbon: Derrick Rose is going to be right there, shoulder to shoulder with Chris Paul and Deron Williams by the end of his second season in the league and I'd take one Derrick Rose for two Michael Beasley's. It ain't close. I'm so excited about Derrick Rose, as a lifelong Bulls fan, that I've already let go of the poorly coached Bears. I'm not saying Lovie Smith is a bad coach; quite the contrary, he's a fine coach. But he's having a terrible season and his coordinators are having about as bad a stretch as coaches can have. The coordinators, it seems to me, are awful. That loss last night to the Vikings...Okay, let me get back to dreaming of Rose taking the Bulls to the playoffs THIS year...which when I think about might not be such a dream after all...Did you guys see what he did to Philly yesterday? If not, go onto YouTube and check it out.

see ya'.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Prep? Gonzaga? How about St. John's baby?

Michael Wilbon: I'm a product of Jesuit education and believe in it absolutely...So, there you go.

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Monroe, La.: What do you think the Redskins need to do, to get the offense going?

Michael Wilbon: A new line.

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