D.C. Sports Bog Live: Redskins, Caps, Nats, MLB Playoffs, NFL and College Football

D.C. Sports Bogger Dan Steinberg was online Tues., Oct. 27, at 11:30 a.m. ET to break down all your questions about the Redskins, the Caps, D.C. United, the Nats and the latest sports news and your questions and comments about his latest bog posts.

Read Dan's daily smorgasbord of the bizarre side of D.C. sports at the D.C. Sports Bog.

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Dan Steinberg: Hey all. I'm actually fired up right now. Sometimes, I sort of use a dash of fake passion and outrage, but I'm legitimately outraged by the Redskins' new policy banning signs of any sort from FedEx Field. Literally, some guy's D-Fence apparatus got nixed. The most innocuous signs you've ever seen got nixed. Some lady's sign about Ovechkin got ripped up by security. People were kicked out of the stadium. I mean, this ceases to be fun entertainment at some point, and the point is right around the bend.

And, on top of all of that, for the Redskins' general counsel--the man who now speaks for the franchise--to somehow deny that fans are changing their behavior this season? I mean, it's just infuriating to me. You can't talk people out of their anger right now; all you can do is apologize and say things will get better and trust that goodwill will win the day. Closing your eyes and pretending won't do it.

Rant over. Now ask me some questions, so I can start ranting again.

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DC: I've been going to the games long enough that I believe I've seen just about every opponent in the league, and their contingency of fans, and the Eagles faithful by far are the worst. The most beligerent, obnoxious group you'd ever want to be around. I had one last night 2 rows back of me fall into the seat next to me face first, bloodying his nose, and without even making an effort to stand up , just lay there screaming "PETITTE IS A STEROIDS USER!!!" And this was in the first quarter.

They're the WORST. Why is this? I love passion, I don't mind trash talk, but these people are idiots.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Dan Steinberg: Today is all about venting.

The best Philly fan I saw was this large man walking into FedEx and taunting Skins fans about how terrible their team is. Some guy yelled to the Philly fan, "Nice jorts." And indeed, he was wearing jorts. And all the Skins fans starting giving it to him for his jorts, and he just had no reply. It was glorious.

As for your guy, you have to admit it's kind of hilarious that he'd be yelling about Petitte.

One more confession: I watched some of the fourth quarter from a random seat in the 400 level, around the 40 yard line, and I had an eminently pleasant time. The weather was great, everyone around me was nice, the view was incredible....no complaints whatsoever. Didn't see one Philly fan acting inappropriately.

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Washington, D.C.: Dan, can we please get the D.C. media to stop talking about "If the Skins drafted "Player X", we'd be a better team." There is no one on this coaching stuff good enough to develop young talent. DeSean Jackson would not have been 1) a viable option for this team and 2) any good even if we did draft him.

Dan Steinberg: Well, who knows what would have happened. You're right that this isn't all about talent; last year Eddie Royal was the example du jour of the Skins miss, but now with Orton instead of Cutler and McAngry instead of Shanahan, he's a non-entity. (Yes, I kept him in my keeper league. Yes, I'm bitter.)

That said, Jackson seems to have the sort of blazing, game-changing, heart-stopping, Landry-toasting breakaway speed that no redskins player has shown this year. I don't see how you could argue with that. And it seems like maybe the Skins could use a punt returner, no?

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Washington, DC: Were police actually involved in getting people to remove anti-Redskins signs or was it just stadium officials?

Dan Steinberg: I'm not sure. I have one email about police getting involved with anti-Redskins shirts. Obviously there are a whole bunch of security involved, and it's pretty hard to sort out on the fly.

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Prochaska, Washington DC: OK, which stage of grief are Redskins fans in now? Seems that acceptance has settled in -- fans more apathetic than the past couple of weeks, or does the passion for the Burgundy Revolution still live on?

Dan Steinberg: I think more apathetic is probably right, but still pretty furious underneath it all.

But overall, if I'm being honest, the Revolution is a tiny fleck of grass on Stephon Heyer's cleats. From what I can tell, the overwhelming majority of fans there are still buying concessions and merchandise, and are still wearing burgundy jerseys. The real Revolution is a 1/4 full stadium, and we're a long way away from that happening.

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Six Flags: Dan, yesterday I saw the blog post from Ted Leonsis you twittered, in which Leonsis, ostensibly discussing President Obama's refusal to deal with Fox News, explained his philosophy that leadership should not blame the media and should try to be as open and transparent as possible. Was Leonsis really writing a thinly-veiled open letter to Dan Snyder, who clearly does not share Leonsis's approach, or am I just a deranged fan thinking a discussion of presidential policy was really just about the redskins?

washingtonpost.com: Does This Strategy Ever Work?

Dan Steinberg: I'm going to post about this later. Maybe it's a coincidence, but if you read that without immediately thinking Snyder/Lerner, you're living in a different sports universe than I am.

Ted Leonsis strikes me as a pretty smart fellow, all in all. I'd be shocked if it never occurred to him.

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Washington D.C.: Hey Dan,

Off topic for a second, any cheeses you would recommend for the Falcons game? Soemthing to say "I sort of want to shoot myself, but I want a good cheese while doing it?"

Also, Gus Frerotte, free agent. A return?

Dan Steinberg: Clotted Cream! Get it! In case you shoot yourself! Does that work?

I don't know, but we're definitely entering the best season of the year for Whole Foods shoppers: heavy ales, Holiday beers, Thanksgiving and Xmas cheese extravaganzas. Go crazy.

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Washington, D.C.: Outside of the Caps, 2009 has been the absolute worst sports year for DC.......agree?

Dan Steinberg: It's been pretty bad. I always go with Ovechkin on the "biggest athlete" ranking game, but Arenas and Cooley, in their primes, were both Top 5 without any doubt. For both to sort of go media silent, and to suffer season ending injuries already makes it bad. Then for the Skins and Wizards to both utterly implode, while the Nats finish with 100+losses for the second year in a row, area college basketball to have a recession and the Terps/Hokies/Cavs all to underwhelm at football.

Yeah, bad.

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Alexandria, Va.: DC United's multiple seasons are over. That's not a question.

Dan Steinberg: Oh, duh, forgot about this too. D.C. United did not have one of their best seasons, all in all.

Man, anyone who tries to make a living writing fun quirky items about these teams must be feeling fairly desperate right about now.

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Arlington, Va.: Would the team be better if they drafted Ditka or if they used five draft picks on five mini-Ditkas?

(Eagles fan who just feels sorry for Washington fans now)

Dan Steinberg: This is honestly getting worse and worse. Look at this comment that was just posted on my blog.

At half time, I went down to the concessions area to get a beer and a dog. Of course, the crowd was once again getting restless at the lack of productivity we were seeing on the field. Standing two rows away from me in line, were two middle aged men. One wore a T-shirt that read "Fire Snyder", the other's said "Fire Vinny".

It wasn't long after standing there that the men were surrounded by close to a dozen people wearing yellow security jackets. The conversation between them and the two men escalated quickly as security asked the men to remove their shirts. Of course the men refused, and one stated that he had been a season ticket holder for 26 years. The conversation continued to get heated and before you knew it 6 or 7 armed security officers formed a circle around the layer of yellowed jacketed security officers.

"Sir, you're about to lose those season tickets if you don't take off that shirt" is what he was told. I don't know what got into me but I had seen enough and had to speak up. This was beyond absurd! I cut across a crowd of people, entering the circle of security.... I said " these guys should be able to wear whatever they want! What the hell is going on? What the hell is this? Communist Russia??? ".

I was quickly greeted with a stern warning to not interfere and a shove in the chest that sent me back a few feet. A few minutes later, the men were escorted out of the area and a security woman approached me with an explanation about their actions. "Look, I know what you're saying, and I can't say that I don't agree with you, but I'm a part-time teacher and this job is my Holiday money"...."upper management told us to come up here and ask these men to remove their shirts and I can't lose my job, so I'm doing it."

I decided then and there that I would NEVER again set foot in Fed Ex Stadium as long as Dan Snyder was the owner. The way I saw people being treated for voicing their opinions on this night embarrassed me as a Redskin fan, a Washingtonian, and as an American. These sort of totalitarian strong arm tactics are downright shameful and I needed to let others know about it. I hope you share this story with your audience. A deeply embarrassed Redskins fan

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Washington, D.C.: Not so much a question but more of a comment.

Is it just me or does it seem like there's a disconnect between the local media and Redskins fans this season? The media seems to pity the team at this point (see Mike Wise's column) likely because they have to deal with the players on a daily basis, while the fans seem to just be enraged.

washingtonpost.com: Who's sorry now?

Dan Steinberg: I'm not sure that you can't sort of have both emotions. Pity the players, rage at the leaders. Fans aren't enraged with London Fletcher. They aren't enraged with Andre Carter, Cornelius Griffin, LaRaon Landry, Chris Cooley, Santana Moss, Hunter Smith, Shaun Suisham, Rocky McIntosh, Brian Orakpo, etc, etc. Sure, some are enraged with JC, but some feel sorry for him. Some are enraged about Haynesworth, but some feel sorry for him, too.

Zorn there's a real split on; some are enraged that, for example, he would just inexplicably fail to get an easy field goal on a fourth down play when down three scores midway through the fourth. And some feel sorry for his daily emasculation.

HOW DOES HE NOT KNOW TO KICK THAT FIELD GOAL, by the way?

Also, you actually did ask a question.

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Washington, D.C.: Since the only difference between this year and last year is the "relentlessly negative coverage in the Washington Post," who is blame for the 2-5 start as opposed to last year's 6-2? Wilbon? Mike Wise? You?

Dan Steinberg: I've been significantly more media, so I'd like a part of this. Sally Jenkins should get some credit. Rick Maese has to be considered less negative than Jason La Canfora, though, so maybe they'd be 1-6 if that change hadn't been made.

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S. Rockville, Md.: When do we get to start talking about A-11? And I know this isn't the spot for hard news, but it's a tragedy what happened down at Hampton U.

Dan Steinberg: Bad news: I seem to have lost much or possibly all of my Atlantic 11 voting email list. I'm also not sure I have it in me to do that again. It was such an awful lot of time, for such a minimal amount of traffic. Great fun, mind you, but not a traffic bomb. Any A11 voters out there? Or readers, I guess? Any thoughts?

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Bowie, Md.: David Donovan's on Mike Wise's show now.

"Hardly an Eagles fan to be found"

Uhhhh.....okay, whatever. I guess I should just give him props for at least going on the show.

Dan Steinberg: It was way, way less than the Steelers MNFer last week.

I'm not sure it was significantly more than the Eagles game last year, although it's hard to tell with the dark jerseys.

It was a lot, but it wasn't tragic. "Hardly" would also not be the right word.

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22202, Arlington, Va.: Many people have mentioned that the last years, DC has become a more depressing place to be. How much do you think this is due to the Redskins? I know they made 2 playoff appearances recently, but even those years were frustrating and sad (Sean Taylor, frustrating losses to Seattle). Do you think the depressed state of football can pervade the attitudes of a city?

Dan Steinberg: Hmmm, I didn't know that people have mentioned that DC is more depressing. If it's more depressing than when I moved here in 98, these are the factors I would identify:

1) Outrageous increase in housing prices

2) Unsightly and annoying increased security and metal detectors and jersey barriers

3) Smaller Washington Post

Other than that, I probably like things better than I did back then. So many more Thai restaurants, for one thing. So I'm not sure I'm down with this one.

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Tired of 24/7 Redskins Angst: Steinz, I remember when you covered DC-area sports.

All sports.

Your most recent post, as I write this, went up at 4:08pm Monday. Depending on how you count a post about a football player on another team being gifted with a DC United jersey, as of then you've either put up 19 consecutive posts about the Redskins or 28 consecutive posts about football, with 27 of those about the Redskins. I predict there will have been other Redskins-related posts in the hours since I sent this at 10:45 Monday evening. I also predict there have been no "Sports Bog" posts about any other subjects.

There's already one Washington Post blog about the Redskins; it's called "Redskins Insider". Why are you writing a second one to the exclusion of everything else?

There are other sports and people who want to read your distinctive style on coverage of news about other sports. This doesn't mean ignoring the big sports story that the Redskins obviously are. It does mean not ignoring every other sports story in the area, as you're doing now.

Why aren't you writing about the Capitals? About the Wizards? About college sports? About the Marine Corps Marathon? Where's the snark about ESPN's Baseball Tonight having just given their first-ever award for most 'web gems' during a season to the Washington Nationals, the team that led the major leagues in errors in 2009?

You've described how important "clickage" is to you. Well, if there's no other way to get your attention, let me say that I can read the headlines describing what you've posted and let me explain that I won't be clicking on any more of the ones about football.

I'll return when you decide to return your "Sports Bog" to being something other than "Redskins Insider II".

Dan Steinberg: Sad. Very sad. And you're definitely not the only one who's said this. I don't know how to respond, other than to say that my traffic is significantly higher than it's ever been, and that this strikes me as the most bloggable story right now.

Remember, when I was doing the goofier stuff with the Caps and Wizards, our Caps/Wizards blogs were much, much less active. Now, when the Wizards call in a hypnotist, Michael Lee blogs about it. When a Caps goalie gets a new mask, Tarik posts the photos. To me, the biggest opening in our coverage (We, the Washington Post Sports Section) is in the sort of angsty side of this Redskins season, the fans and media reaction. It's not always (or often) (or ever) fun/funny/quirky, but it's not like I came out of the womb with fun/funny/quirky on my fingers. I used to write "real" stories, without the fun. This fall I've been writing angst, because angst has been the story.

When the story changes, I'll change, too. If you really leave me for now, I'll understand. Just come back later.

(And I try---and think I mostly succeed--at making my Skins stuff slightly different than the Skins Insider Skins stuff.)

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Frereal: How sad is it that I just got genuinely excited reading another poster's mention that Gus Frerotte is a free agent? (hint: very sad)

Dan Steinberg: Can he play left tackle?

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Washington, D.C.: "Many people have mentioned that the last years, DC has become a more depressing place to be. How much do you think this is due to the Redskins?"

I'm guessing Sept. 11 didn't help. But it's probably mostly the Redskins' offensive line.

Dan Steinberg: You know what, even before 9/11 I had to go through a metal detector to go into MLK library downtown. I never exactly understood that. Why is it ok to bring a metal weapon into, say, a shopping mall, but not a library? Are there many people trying to sneak metal into the library?

Now, of course, we have em everywhere. But they're more annoying than depressing, I think. Also, I hardly ever go to MLK library any more.

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Richmond, Va.: Do you think any previously successful big name coach would take the Redskins head coaching job, or is Snyder/Cerrato too much to have to deal with?

Dan Steinberg: Yes I do.

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Re: Eddie Royal is a nonentity: I disagree, fantasy or football-wise. He took a punt and a kickoff back for a TD last week. Don't you think the Redskins could use something like that now (ahem Randle El ahem)? And fantasy-wise, that got me 12 points.

Dan Steinberg: Well, it got me 12 points too, on a week when I needed Royal due to the Colts' bye, but it was still a fluky 12 points.

And you're right about the returning. I don't know why they don't try more Devin Thomas. If you can make the Sherm Lewis experiment, why can't you make several others? What's the worst that happens if you change from ARE? You lose fair catches, 1-yard returns and fumbles?

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Zimbabwe: Dan, do you think I'll get kicked out of FedEx for wearing a Zimbabwe cricket jersey with "Mugabe" on the back (allusion to Steve Coll's excellent reference in the New Yorker: Monday Night Football)?

That "take off your t-shirt" e-mail has me absolutely disgusted.

Viva La Burgundy Revoluci n

washingtonpost.com: Behavior Change: Skins Tees at MNF

Dan Steinberg: I have no idea any more. No idea. There was literally a sign banned from the stadium carrying wishes to a husband in Afghanistan.

As always, there's one answer for the actually effective protest. It's an answer nobody seems interested in hearing. And I understand that. I don't advocate any behavior in particular.

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Washington, D.C.: Re: A11

Really? Like anything you do in February/March is going to be huge traffic draws?

Unless Dan Snyder shows up at a Capitals game and throws someone out for wearing an Ovechkin jersey and then proceeds to punch a grandma in her face, I don't think your winter/spring traffic is going to be that large anyway.

Dan Steinberg: Well, that's true. It's also sort of restrictive, in that if something else dramatic happens during those few hours on Monday afternoons, I'm tied up trying to correct the ballots of voters who accidentally put Hampton 1st and Georgetown 10th.

Like I said, it's definitely fun. I don't know.

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Drama City: Dan Steinberg,

You spend your time telling everyone about what everyone else is doing or saying. What would you do if the Redskins were yours -starting right now?

Dan Steinberg: 1) Do an interview with ESPN 980--a station owned by me, promising insider access--in which I'd attempt to be honest about the great disappointment this season, and about my past mistakes.

2) Immediately change any policies banning dissent or signs at FedEx Field.

3) Admit, at least internally, that this season just isn't happening, and commit to experimentation. Play Mitchell/Davis/Kelly/Thomas as much as possible, to see what we've got there. Same with Tryon and Barnes.

4) Make an official policy that draft picks will never be traded for veterans unless we absolutely believe the veteran in question is the difference between a Super Bowl-caliber team and a first-round playoff loser.

5) After the season, thank Jim Zorn for his efforts and wish him well. Hire a competent GM--a younger type, from a winning franchise. Allow him to hire a coach, with perhaps mild consultation with me. Then use my vast wealth to take an extended vacation in Italy, and hope that the draft goes well.

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Five Sided Building: Sberg:

Is the Olympicsbog heading to Vancouver?

Dan Steinberg: No chance. The WaPo Olympic team is going to be way, way, way slimmed down from past years. Figure most/all newspapers will be in the same boat. Columnists and Oly writers get all the priority on this one.

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Williamsburg, Va.: Dan,

Please say you're not serious about not doing the Atlantic 11 poll. I've already bookmarked Greivis's Twitter page in anticipation. And I would miss your Sunday emails warning us to cut out the chlamydia references.

Dan Steinberg: Well, I need to rebuild the email list somehow. I think I've had two computers die since then, possibly three.

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Disconnect Between the Fans and the Media...: I have a theory on this.

It's easier for the Media to feel "Pity" wheras we the fanbase feel "Rage" because there is significantly less of an economic investment on the part of the Media.

You and Mike Wise didn't spend hundreds of dollars on tickets, parking, concessions, etc. to not see the Skins win, and not see them score points. You're actually (in theory) getting paid to be there, and get free popcorn, IIRC.

This isn't meant to be a judgement on the media or anything, BTW, just a thought. I think it's easier for the media to step back and be objective and think "This is Sad," rather than "I am MAD!" because the situation isn't costing you guys hundreds of dollars a game.

Dan Steinberg: And free cookies. And free ice cream. And also free coleslaw/roll sandwiches, which, if you're starving, are beyond delish.

(The Post makes a donation to Redskins Charitable Foundation to pay for our grub.)

But you're right about this, though this would be the case in any NFL/MLB/NBA/NHL market.

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Ijamsville, Md.: What is it like for you and the other WP writers to cover the Redskins when they are in such a state of disarray? Eggshells?

Dan Steinberg: I don't talk to players much any more, but the biggest difference with players is fewer guys are around to talk. The locker room empties out faster. Open locker room sessions at Redskins Park have fewer attendees. The guys who talk are usually doing so purposefully, so it's not like you're scared to ask them "dude, what the heck?" or "is it ever gonna improve" or whatever.

I do feel weird walking by some of the front-office types. I've written some really rude things about some of them, and it makes me kind of uncomfortable to then see them in person. I can't speak for any of my colleagues.

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Gilbert Arenas: Did I miss something or is Gilbert out for THIS season too? Were you referring to last season or is he injured again?

Dan Steinberg: Sorry, last season, but that was still 2009. The missing games, if not the injury itself.

Gilbert, as of this writing, is a full go for the 09-10 season.

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Ashburn, Va.: Hey! Stop bullying the Redskins! It's all your fault they were terrible. If you just heaped praise on them, maybe they wouldn't notice THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY A HUGE PILE OF STEAMING DUNG. THEIR WORTH IS LESS THAN THAT OF A TOY CAR MADE ENTIRELY OF BEETLES. LIKE THE INSECT. A TOY CAR MADE OF SMALL INSECTS IS BETTER THAN THE CURRENT ORGANIZATION.

Dan Steinberg: Interesting phrasing, going with "their worth is less" as opposed to "they're worth less." I was getting all ready to correct you, before I noticed the phraseology.

I'll say this for the piling on: some say it's already getting to be a boring drone, but I'd disagree with that. But in mid-December? If things haven't changed? I mean, there will be nothing, nothing, nothing else to say.

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Raleigh, N.C.: Can we stop using Snyder's name for the stadium and start calling it "Jack Kent Cooke Stadium," just to stick a finger in Danny Boy's eye?

Dan Steinberg: I think there are probably a lot of other fingers that could be stuck besides this one. This one would anger officials in Memphis more than in Ashburn, assuming FedEx is actually based in Memphis and I'm not making that up.

Again, I might be wrong, but I think at some point this turmoil is bad for advertisers. I think Papa John's gets some negative connotations from being involved with the Redskins this season. In my head, anyhow. That's probably punishment enough.

I mean, FedEx Field is not viewed as a scene of happy entertainment by virtually anyone right now; that's not what FedEx signed up for.

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Pentagon City, Va.: I enjoy the amount of Redskins coverage, and I've got to say that right now, with the NBA just starting up, DC United and baseball ending, this seems to be the most relevant story in DC right now. Plus, I like getting whipped into a frenzy by your posts, such as the one you made opening up this chat.

Dan Steinberg: the Caps thing continues to be a mystery, because I can go to practices and just come away with nothing. Nada.

The Wizards have been in the preseason until today, and there's only so much you can say. I think once the games actually start, and (knock on wood) the team starts winning, I'll be doing plenty and plenty of Wiz.

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Northeast, Washington, D.C.: You're seriously not going to the Winter Olympics?? That's ridiculous. The Games are HUGE, you need to be there. Tell your people that we DEMAND coverage.

Dan Steinberg: Three weeks of hotels. A flight. Lots and lots of microbrews disguised as healthy three-course meals on expense accounts. You do the math. It's just not feasible in this age

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Alexandria, Va.: Does Donovan have a youtube account? When should we expect a "Leave the Redskins alone" video?

Dan Steinberg: Apparently he did a fairly energetic radio spot with the Mike Wise Show this morning. Can't wait to listen to that.

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Los Angeles: Why does the local media -- specifically this paper -- keep making excuses for Jason Campbell when the rest of media is killing him? Casserly, Jaws, Young, etc. ... they've seen enough of the turd that is Jason Campbell.

Dan Steinberg: Turd AND dung, in one chat? Now I just need to convince the powers that be to let me use the word [rhymes with bucks, synonym for stinks] again.

I think there's a false dichotomy between "Campbell's a chump and not a real NFL starter" and "there's no chance for him to do anything in this scheme and with this line." I'd argue that both can be, and are, correct.

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Righteous Anger: Dan, am I the only Redskin fan who wanted to beat the crap out of the 4 or 5 people shown on the MNF broadcast in Redskins colors with a sign proudly declaring "UNCONDITIONAL LOVE"? I hope that someone from the team asked them to remove their sign and they began to consider whether perhaps their support for the team might have a few conditions after all.

Dan Steinberg: I'll post a screen shot of that later. It was at least a strong dash of originality. No one else that I've seen has yet made that claim. And it was a massive banner, too.

Oh, want to know the two reasons I was given for signs being banned?

1) They could be dangerous

2) They could block other fans' views.

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Herndon, Va.: What are jorts? Male capri pants?

Dan Steinberg: Jean shorts.

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Washington, D.C.: I loved the absurd optimism of Jaws -- talking about the Redskins as if they were an actual NFL team.

"Stephon Heyer is actually a right tackle..."

No, he's actually a left tackle. On a second rate ACC team. Which is why no on drafted him.

Dan Steinberg: Jaws' views aside, Vinny Cerrato and others have said that Heyer is more comfortable on the left.

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Laurel: Game One of the Turnpike Series starts tomorrow.

You going with Exit 3 or Exit 18?

Dan Steinberg: I was raised an Orioles fan. I was raised to believe that pinstripes are a sign of the devil. I could not ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever root for the Yankees in anything. Honestly, I just could not do it. Cowboys 'neither. I'd rather root for a 1,564-inning tie, leading to the dissolution of the modern system of baseball rules, than a Yankees win.

Also, I recognize and understand the D.C. fan's feeling toward Philly, but I've met more than a few Philly fans whom I actually kinda liked. So this one's just not close for me.

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Fairfax, Va.: Wegman's beats Whole Foods !

Dan Steinberg: I like certain things about Wegman's. But I spent one of the better years of my life cashing Whole Foods paychecks, so it's hard for me to co-sign this.

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Space Ghost Stadium, Fla.: Is there anyone that is a bigger winner in all of this redskins nonsense than Ted Lerner? The Nats look like the second- or third-best-run major sports franchise in town now.

Dan Steinberg: I think it's a pretty fair fight, which team has gotten more relentlessly negative national and local press over the past 12 or so months. Sure, the sheer volume of negative Skins stuff has been way larger, but if you look at the negative stuff as a percentage of overall coverage, I'd guess the Nats still lead. Remember, there were lots of positive story lines in the offseason (Snyder showing new patience, Haynesworth/Hall/Orakpo firing up the defense, Malcolm Kelly's return to health, Mike Williams, etc.)

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Potomac, Md.: Sure the Redskins have a TON of problems but - wouldn't it be worth it to give Betts and Cartwright more touches? Portis is lacking fire this season and I personally don't think he has the motivation to be the player he once was. He doesn't practice all week, while the other two do. Seems obvious to me - play the guys who are hungry for it and who put in the work.

Dan Steinberg: Cartwright's run inside the 5 (I think) last night showed burst, drive, and a commitment to run downhill quickly that Portis has sometimes seemed to lack.

I'd say two things about your suggestion

1) I don't think it'd do much, and

2) I don't see what it'd hurt.

This is why I wasn't too exercised about the move to Sherm Lewis; the offense was atrocious against atrocious defenses, so what could possibly get worse? I'd say the same thing about virtually any offensive experiment. I mean, put DeAngelo Hall in for some Wildcat snaps? heck yeah, why not.

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Arlington, Va.: I don't know who else got to hear it, but 980 "Monday" morning show (this morn) was a joke. The constantly gushed over how great the fan support was and how there was virtually nothing negative in the stands. It sounded like they were forced to say that. It was like I was listening to political operatives. I wasn't there, but they sounded full of you know what.

Dan Steinberg: I did not hear, but that would qualify as demonstrably false if true.

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There is NO Fix: Who on the 'Skins could start on an above average NFL team? Who could be traded straight-up for the player in their position and the other team thought they got the better deal? For an example, let's use Cincinnati.

Offense - No one. Defense - Haynesworth and ...?

Dan Steinberg: Before last night, I'd say off the top of my head that Cooley, Moss, Fletcher, Orakpo, Haynesworth, Carter, Landry, Rogers, Smith would definitely start for a bunch of other NFL teams.

The real issue is I'm not sure how many guys on yesterday's offensive line would. I don't know the guards of the NFL well enough, but I'd imagine Dockery would start on some teams, and Rabach too. But as a unit, would any team trade their O line for the Skins', straight up?

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Negative Advertising: For one thing, we can only get free topping on our Papa John's if they score TDs. People are going to start getting angry about THAT. They're going to have to change it to field goals. Or 1st downs.

Dan Steinberg: Or snaps.

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Unconditional Love: Just because you love your children unconditionally doesn't mean you don't punish them when they are bad. That's all part of the parenting process, and the mark of true unconditional love.

If you continue to reward your children in the face of consistent poor behavior, you are doing more harm than good in the long run.

Dan Steinberg: Yes, but even the critics are still failing to punish the Redskins, at least, the critics who buy chicken tenders.

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Podcast: Are you guys doing a podcast this week? Because if you are, I can't wait...

Dan Steinberg: Yup, though with some scheduling issues, the tentative lineup is Steinberg, Forsythe, Boren and Hamilton. A foursome that's never been used in tandem just yet. Can "tandem" apply to "foursome?"

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Birmingham, Ala.: I love the A-11 poll. Keeps me in touch with the DC area (and my Terps) while I live in Alabama.

Dan Steinberg: That's, like, three votes in favor! Whoo hoo!

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Woodbridge, Va.: The Redskins were not on the front page of the Post today. Is this part of the official downgrading of the Redskins from a "Washington institution" to just a sports team. I always thought the mantra about how the Redskins held some special status because they united the disparate races and income strata of the area was baloney. The Redskins should be treated like any other privately owned business with poor performance and customer service and not given so much free publicity.

Dan Steinberg: I think it might also partially reflect new deadlines, new format, and new newspaper leadership.

It's still a very big institution in this town that a lot of people care about, and a front-page photo of a disastrous loss isn't necessarily the free publicity that you want. But in general, I'd probably vote for less sports on A1, under the argument that A1 of the Washington Post still matters in an important way, and the Redskins don't, necessarily.

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Petworth, Washington, D.C.: Pshaw. Your old DC neighborhood now boasts a fully stocked, ultra plus Yes Natural Market. Stocked with gourmet cheeses and tofu products. Just like Dan Snyder bailed on headcoaches too soon, you left Petworth just before its blossoming

Dan Steinberg: This is true. It's unbelievable that the years-long promise of a Yes was realized like a month after we bailed.

But we're right near the SS/TP coop now. My daughter no longer wants to play shopping store at home; she now wants to play "coop." University of Vermont, here she comes!

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Fairfax, Va.: Good morning from the Burgundy Revolution. Last night I got kicked out of the game for chanting "We Want Gruden" and "Snyder Sucks." We were sitting right under the MNF booth, Gruden and Jaws though it was funny and Jon flashed his ring at us. Danny did not find it so funny and sent his goon squad down to kick us out. I have been a season ticket holder since Fed Ex opened, but might have to find something better to do with my $1,700 next year.

Dan Steinberg: I'm going to go start to write some of these things up for the Bog. Like I said at the start of this chat, this angers me more than a shoddy offensive line, a chaotic coaching staff, a dangling head coach, a stumbling GM, and non-existent receivers. It's not about free speech--it's private property, and all that. It's about just ruining what is supposed to be entertainment. It made me rummage through garbage cans last night, and it made me genuinely mad.

See everyone next week.

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