BFN Sports Commentary

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  • Three of a Kind in the Nation's Capital

     nation's capital

    It seems that pro sports in DC has stolen the spotlight in headline news the last few days. Unfortunately, the action has more to do with off-the-field occurrences than actual games.

     

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    Today, the Washington Redskins held a press conference to announce the signing of their new head coach, Mike Shanahan – a former two-time Super Bowl winner with the Denver Broncos – who replaced Jim Zorn after a miserable 4-12 season.

     

    But this "hope for tomorrow" event barely resembled the silver lining in an otherwise cloudy and turbulent week of ugly infighting amongst teammates on both the football Redskins and the basketball Wizards.

     

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    Kicking things off with the Skins...

     

    During an interview on The John Thompson Radio Show, running back Clinton Portis triggered a war of words when speaking on the subject of the Campbell’s leadership style as a starting quarterback and team captain: "I wonder the same thing. It's no disrespect to Jason, but everybody in that locker room will tell you -- you will never see Jason mad, you will never see Jason's tempo change."

    Portis continued: "(He's) going to give you everything (he's) got. But as a leader ... it was always, 'Jason couldn't take control of the huddle,' or 'He didn't do this' or 'He didn't do that.' That wasn't Jason's character. ... I think Jason, you can't place so much on somebody who's not ready for that situation. I think Jason has enough trouble in getting the plays in and worrying about this, compared to controlling the huddle."

    Portis told ESPN980 that Campbell isn't the type of player who would go to a coach and say, "'Well, we need to do this or we need to do that,' or 'This is how the players want it.'"

    Campbell wasn't pleased about Portis' comments and responded to them during a Tuesday telephone interview with The Washington Post.

    "How is he going to say I'm not a leader?" Campbell said. "I mean, that's just not true. To me, that's somebody who shows that they don't know what a real leader is. A leader is not someone who leads by the wrong example. A leader is someone who is trying to do the right thing and trying to lead by example, and not just [being] about themselves.

    "There's a reason guys get selected as captains, and there's a reason guys don't get selected as captains. Obviously, he doesn't have the respect of the locker room to be a captain. For someone to try to take a shot at me at the end of the season, after they haven't even been around, only speaks about their character anyways."

    It's quite possible that neither player will be with the Redskins next season. Campbell can become a free agent. Portis missed the last half of the season after sustaining a concussion during a Nov. 8 game against the Atlanta Falcons, and he'll turn 29 in September.

    Welcome to Washington, Mr. Shanahan.

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    From the DC gridiron to the DC hardwood…

    Sources reported that scoring guard Gilbert Arenas and backup guard Javaris Crittenton nearly got into a modern-day, locker-room duel over an apparent gambling debt that went unpaid. Arenas allegedly drew his gun first, but Crittenton brandished his as well.

    Today - on the same day as the Shanahan presser - NBA Commissioner David Stern suspended Agent Zero indefinitely, releasing this statement:

    "The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a matter of the utmost concern to us. I initially thought it prudent to refrain from taking immediate action because of the pendency of a criminal investigation involving the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department, and the consideration of this matter by a grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia. For the same reason, I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action.

     

    Wizards personnel continue to be interviewed by law enforcement authorities, some are scheduled for appearance before the grand jury and the investigation is proceeding with the intensity that one would expect for such a serious incident.

     

    "Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."

     

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    So in the spirit of parody and levity, I ask of you…

     

    If you had to vote on the Most Entertaining Sports Story in the Nation’s Capital over the last several days, which of the three would you choose:


    1. Skins Sign Shanahan
    2. Portis vs Campbell
    3. Gilbert Gotta Gun



    Cast your vote. Speak your mind. Go ‘head on.

     

  • COMMENTARY: Has Bill Belichick Lost His Touch?

    belichick toboggin & hoodie Earlier today, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick decided to play his starters in a meaningless game against the Houston Texans in the final game of the regular season. Forget the fact that his Pats were already 10-5, already division winners, and already playoff bound.

    The Texans went on to beat the Patriots 34-27, but the bigger loss for New England didn't show up in the box score. It happened in the 1st quarter when starting wide receiver Wes Welker caught a pass from quarterback Tom Brady, ran a few yards and stumbled to the Houston turf before being hit by two Texans. After being carted off the field, sources later revealed that the Pats leading pass catcher tore his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in the 1st quarter. 

    With the playoffs set to begin next week, New England just lost a valuable offensive weapon.

    Does someone care to tell me -- and diehard Patriots fans - what was Belichick thinking, especially with the all-important postseason just days away?

    I can't decide what's more mind-boggling, this decision or the one Belichick made vs the Indianapolis Colts back in Week 9.

    Let's rewind and remember what happened on Indy's home field back in November.

    Setting the scene, the score was Patriots 34, Colts 28 in 4th quarter with 2:08 to play. New England has the ball at their own 28 yard line, and it's 4th down and 2 yards to go.

    Rather than play it safe, punt the ball away, and force Indy to go a longer distance in their attempt to score a TD… Belichick decided to gamble. The execution failed. New England gained only one yard on the play and the decision backfired.

    Taking over deep on the Patriots side of the field, Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning threw the game winning touchdown to wide receiver Reggie Wayne four plays later.

    Guess what question I asked when that decision backfired? I'll give you a hint, it's probably the same question most New England fans asked, as well.

    Bill Belichick's bad decision in that Week 9 loss to Indy cost his Patriots the game.

    His bad decision in Week 17 hurts their chances of winning a fourth Super Bowl title.

    Do you think Belichick should've played his starters in a meaningless game -- especially with the playoffs set to begin next week?

    Or do you agree with his decision? Express yourself.

    We welcome your comments.

     

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