The time for Washington name change is now, skins no more

In light of the scandal that is unfolding with Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and his heinous comments my attention turns to another other deplorable act that has been allowed to persist in the public eye in our Nation’s capital. For those folks calling for boycotts and demanding Sterling to surrender ownership I ask where are those same passions demanding a name change for that NFL franchise in our Nation’s capital?

Sponsor are dropping like flies refusing to be associated with this bigot, fans are refusing to attend, and even recording artist have demanded that their music be pulled from the game. But why does it take offending a certain group of people cause such a reaction, while other offenses register little interest or fan fare? Since 1932 the Washington Redskins have been offending many with their name, and despite being aware of the history associated with the offensive name nothing has changed.

Although NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the 31 other owners possess the authority to force Redskins owner Dan Snyder to change the name, none of them have been compelled to do so. I find it down right absurd that Goodell can express his disdain for the comments made by Sterling while also having a franchise that’s name is racially insensitive and offensive. Native Americans only make up 2% of the United States population, will they have to quadruple their numbers before their voices are finally heard? What will it take for NFL players to boycott the league and refuse to stand for this injustice no more? An injustice anywhere should enrage us all and inspire us to act. But first the NFL, their sponsors, and the owner must be compelled to act, it has not happened in 82 years, will it happen in year 83. Three months on the job Adam Silver took a stand, when will you? You already flaked once Mr. Goodell with an absurd response, will finally right this apparent wrong? Stay tuned…I know I will.

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Listen to eatdrnkslpsprtz radio  Subscribe to podcast

 

Eagles win, but is the best still yet to come?

On Monday Night Football the Philadelphia Eagles new offense was on full display against the Washington Redskins for the world to see. Although the formations were nothing new the pace was unrelenting, the Eagles high-octane offense registered 53 plays in the first half!

The Eagles offensive weapons were nothing short of amazing, Mike Vick was making life miserable for the spying linebackers; Lesean Shady McCoy was juking and jiving; and Desean Jackson had the Redskins secondary gasping for air. Besides one unique formation Coach Chip Kelly showcased a fast pace offense that even had fans, commentators, and referees gasping for air.

No one ever doubted the skill or play-making ability of the Eagles offensive weapons, many questioned their ability to all stay healthy during the regular season.The Eagles offensive weapons have developed a reputation of being an injury waiting to happen: Vick has only played one season without a missing a game due to injury, Desean has a history of concussions, and Lesean is only a year removed from a debilitating knee injury.

At least for one night Eagles fans got to see the full arsenal on display, we all bared witness to how electrifying this offense could be. We witnessed the opposing defense gasping for air unable to keep up with high-octane Eagles offense. However, it was also hard to ignore the slumping Eagles offensive lineman who were also clearly gassed by halftime.

Although the Eagles play-makers will continue to garner most of the headlines in the City of Brotherly Love, the fate of Eagles season will be determined by the mercurial left tackle Jason Peters; rookie right tackle Lane Johnson; center Jason Kelce; and guards Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans. They were nothing short of impressive against the Redskins opening up rushing lanes for McCoy and giving Vick time in the pocket. But if they were bent over sucking wind in week 1, its hard to presume that the best is yet to come. Will the Eagles offensive line fall victim to their own pace? Stay tuned…I know I will. – A. Denmark

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Listen to eatdrnkslpsprtz radio  Subscribe to podcast

NFL Training Camp Reality Check

Every year 32 NFL teams attempt to either improve on a disappointing season or try to duplicate the success of season’s past. After the big name free agents have been signed and the next crop of rookies have shaken the hand of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, playtime is over, the suits are off and the real work begins.

Although the colors that NFL fans wear varies in colors and stripes their passion is all the same but which team is destined to disappoint and which team poised to surprise? Each football season we are assured of three certainties: (1) An injury will occur ruining a team’s playoff chances; (2) An undrafted free agent or late round pick will have a breakout season; (3) The preseason Super Bowl Favorite will fall short.

Last year sixth round pick running back Alfred Morris entered Washington Redskins training camp as an unknown that became a star who ended the season fourth in the league in rushing and played an intricate role in the Redskins resurgence. Small school prospect Bobby Wagner from perennial powerhouse Utah State made his presence felt with the Seattle Seahawks finishing seventh in the league in tackles. Which rookie from the 2013 class will go from unanimous to stardom?

Although pundits have crowned the San Franciso 49ers as Super Bowl favorites each year we are reminded that games are won and lost with grit, blood, sweat, and tenacity. In the NFL nothing is given every inch must be earned, and each game will be tougher than the next. Now that opposing defensive coordinators have had an entire summer to study the tendencies of Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, and Colin Kapernick what will these promising second year starters do for an encore?

With training camp now in full swing in small towns all over the country each day a new revelation is revealed. Although no games have been played or touchdowns recorded training camp will dictate the fate of all 32 teams, and ultimately determine if your team hoists the Lombardi or is forced to go back to the drawing board. Training camp may just be practice, but remember practice make perfect. Stay tuned…I know I will.

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Listen to eatdrnkslpsprtz radio  Subscribe to podcast

NFL Free Agency: Its how you spend NOT how much you spend that makes the difference

NFL Free Agency is 24 hours away and several NFL franchises have a lot of money to spend while other teams have only lent in their pockets will be relegated to the sidelines forced to find value with their pennies.

Free agency is an invaluable tool that benefits players who wish to maximize their value and teams looking to add the missing piece to make a long playoff run. The NFL Free Agency period has been an off season fixture although high-priced acquisition make headlines year in and year out it is rare that the team that spends the most cash hoists the Lombardi Trophy at season’s end.

For years the Washington Redskins have been the biggest spenders on the free agency market, foolishly handing out lucrative contracts to big name players way past their prime in Bruce Smith and Deion Sanders to 5 year contracts for a combined salary of $90 million dollars after their 15th years in the league. Or who can forget $100 million contract the Redskins gave Albert Haynesworth whose poor conditioning and bad attitude led him right out of the league. Redskins owner Dan Snyder can spent nearly $330 million on big name free agents and still has yet to get past the second round of the NFL playoffs.

Although it seems that Snyder has finally learned his lesson, it appears that several franchises may receive a similar reality check this off-season. The Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts appears to be the three franchises with the deepest pockets this year.

The Dolphins are reportedly a favorite to land wide receiver Mike Wallace who is believed to be the top wideout available in free agency. But before the ink dries on his contract the Dolphins should be reluctant because Wallace struggles with drops and has some diva-like  tendencies, frequently giving up on routes and quitting when the ball is not coming his way. Dolphin fans remember we buy Advil for headaches we don’t spend $30 million to guarantee them.

The Browns and Colts are reportedly in a bidding war for the services of defensive end Paul Kruger, numbers have allegedly reached an absurd $10 million dollars per year. Although Kruger was a dominant force during the Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl run, he failed to record a single sack during the regular season. Clearly Kruger’s postseason performance has clouded the judgement of two franchises whose desperation will only lead to disappointment.

After the dream team failure it would have been reasonable to presume that the Philadelphia Eagles would resist the bait of big name free agents. However, news of their reported interest in former Tennessee Titans tight end Jared Cook who is rumored to be demanding to be the highest paid tight end in the NFL says otherwise. Cook is commanding $8-10 million and it appears the Eagles and the Dolphins may be the only two franchises dumb enough to meet his demands.

Free Agency was created to serve as an equalizer, to provide franchises an opportunity to go from worst to first. However, year in and year out the franchises with the biggest pockets disappoint their fan bases by remaining in the division cellar, and reminding us that it’s not how much you spend, but how you spend which separates a title contender from a pretender. When the clock strikes twelve NFL March Madness will begin… Stay tuned… I know I will – A. Denmark

 

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Listen to eatdrnkslpsprtz radio Tues/Thurs 630 EST & Sat 1030 EST

Derrick Rose and Robert Griffin III – why patience is a virtue, knee-d I say more?

For nearly a decade the city of Chicago and Washington D.C. sports franchises have been mired in mediocrity and disappointment as fans of the Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bulls have been relegated to  cherishing the past due to the endless years of disappointment.

However, after years of poor personnel moves and there fair share of draft busts and free agent signings the Redskins and the Bulls were fortunate to have innovators and future of the NFL and the NBA fall into their lap. After years of making all of the wrong moves all the Redskins and the Bulls had to do was hand their selection to the commissioner to make it official.

When the Bulls selected Derrick Rose with the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft no one expected the hometown kid to reach elite status in such a short time. Rose revitalized his hometown and restored hope to a franchise that had become an after thought after his Airness retired. Blessed with elite athleticism and maturity beyond his years Rose lead the Bulls to the best record in the NBA and collected a MVP in only his third year. Lead by one of their the city of Chicago embraced Rose who embodied the toughness, grit, and swagger of  his hometown. However, chatter of championships was reduced to a whimper when Rose tore his ACL and MCL in the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs.

The Redskins also appeared poised to return to their era of dominance when they selected 2011 Heisman winner Robert Griffin III with the second pick in the NFL Draft. Blessed with Olympic speed and a howitzer for an arm Griffin took the entire the league by storm with his jaw dropping athleticism and precision passing. A franchise known more for draft bust and free agent blunders had finally struck gold. Although the Redskins were not expected to contend for a title the fate of the franchise was dealt a harsh blow when Griffin III went down in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs.

These two promising stars have more in common than the Adidas apparel that they both endorse. Despite their young ages Rose and Griffin carry the weight of a city and a franchise on their broad shoulders. As each continues down their long road to recovery the pressure too return is immense due to the NFL and the NBA crowning them as the future of their perspective leagues.

Although some injuries are unavoidable both young stars fueled by competitiveness played through the pain which ultimately lead to their torn ACL injuries. The Bulls are pressuring Rose to return after the All-Star break and the Redskins are angling to pencil Griffin III in as their week 1 starter.

Both Rose and Griffin III possess once in a generation talent and their future is bright but if they truly wish to make a last imprint for their teams patience must be a virtue. Many players have failed to reach greatness because they faltered under pressure, for the sake of their careers and their franchises I hope Griffin and Rose don’t do the same. Stay tuned… I know I will – A. Denmark (@eatdrkslpsprtz2)

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google