The Chat House

Kornheiser	Wilbon
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With Tony Kornheiser
and Michael Wilbon
Washington Post Columnists
Friday, Oct. 12, 2001; 1:30 p.m. ET

Are you a sports junkie? Can't get enough of Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon fighting each other in the sports pages of The Washington Post? It's your chance to talk to both gurus LIVE!

Michael Jordan is in a Wizards uniform, Jaromir Jagr is ready to open the NHL season with the Capitals and Cal Ripken is ready to call it a career. And a new television season of Dark Angel has begun. All that and more in The Chat House.

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Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: Good afternoon. We are joining you again from the bat cave of Tony and Mike's new ESPN show. We are having cake today in honor of the 3 year anniversary of The Chat House and my birthday. --Mary

I have anthrax. Actually, it's just my throat. But I have medicine for it. --Tony

You have Cipro? How did you get that? --Mary

B/c I know people. --Tony

So let the rest of us die you selfish scumbag. --Mike

Great. I'm dead. --Mary

I'll happily share my medicine. --Tony

Before we get into depressing topics or even sports, let us wish Mary a Happy and prosperous and peaceful 45th birthday. --Mike

Uh. Thanks. But I'm a lot younger than that. --Mary

Actually 1/2 plus a couple of years. --Mike

Frederick, MD: Who needs the 'Skins? Finally the Terps are back. If you want to see inspired players and great coaching this is the only (football) team in town. It is a shame that Ralph was apparently discriminated against because of his appearance. There is a lesson here..

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: You are right on all fronts. If Friedgen was two bills instead of three and a half, he would have been a head coach at least ten years ago. --Mike

It was your girl Debbie Yow who wouldn't interview him even when Boomer Esiason went to her and said "He's the right man for the job." And she passed. And wouldn't interview and hired Ron Vanderlinden instead which wasn't a bad choice but she wouldn't interview Friedgen. She wasted four years at MD. --Tony

And that was a bad decision. But we have to have a little inside baseball here for the people who faithfully join The Chat House each week. For those of you who are going to be w/us all the time, you need to know about Tony's Obsession List. It is headed yesterday, tomorrow and always by David Falk aka The Bird of Prey. After that, it's Michael Westbrook of the Redskins. --Mike

Who is 17 million dollars worth of disappointment. --Tony

Instead of being simply an inadequate football player, Tony has turned him into Lex Luther. Also on the list, though not as high up is Debbie Yow, AD at UMD. --Mike

Who wasted 4 years by not interviewing Ralph Friedgen. --Tony

Wassenaar, Holland: Tony,

Last week you flamed some guy (idiot, nimrod) who noted an obvious lack of Chat House consideration of the Caps and Jaromir Jagr. A lot of us thought that you were writing sports for the Washington Post. This was a D.C. guy and Jagr is a huge local story. We finally have an owner willing to do what it takes to build a great team. This may be the season when we see our team in the finals. At the very least, we'll get by the Pens. MW writes some great Caps articles –- thanks. C’mon man, when are you getting on the Caps bandwagon?

J. Gray

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: In the Cup Finals? Have you checked The Washington Post Web site today? Jagr, who is unquestionably one of the two best players in the world today, cannot walk at the moment and has to be examined to see how injured he actually is. Cup Final? If this guy is seriously hurt, the Caps are right back where they were last year. But, don't try to portray us as people who haven't written about the Caps and Ted Leonsis b/c we both have. --Mike

I don't remember torching somebody. Mary says I did. But I have written repeatedly how impressive it is that Leonsis and McPhee signed Jagr. And I have every reason to believe the Caps will be in the thick of the playoff fight as long as they don't choke again to Pittsburgh -- which seems unlikely now. So, what's your issue? --Tony

Chatham, N.J.: Are the Yankees dead? And if so, who will there be left to root against?

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: I grew up in Chicago.

Yes, we know. --Mary

And while I love going to NYC, I've always rooted against NY teams. But given the events of Sept. 11th and beyond, I have rooted for every NY team. And particularly the specific athletes and coaches and managers who involved themselves to such a degree w/NY's tragedy and the aftermath. So, I'm not about to root agains the Yankees. I'm rooting for them. Having said that, they look dead in the water. --Mike

Inherent in your question is something that New Yorkers -- and I was born and raised there -- know and have lived w/for years: the notion that people hate NY and root against NY. In the Yankees case, it is b/c they are such a dynsasty. They are baseball's great dynasty like the Celics were basketball's great dynasty and the Packers were football's great dynasty. I like dynasty. I like when there is one team to root for or against and I know that Wilbon liked it when the Bulls were a dynasty. --Tony

Don't diminish it. Don't take a cheap shot. I like dynasties period. --Mike

You like Linda Evans. That's all. --Tony

No, I hated her. You were either Dynasty or Dallas, not both. It's lie Emmitt or Barry. One or the other. --Mike

So who shot JR? --Mary

Reston, Va.: Along with Boswell, you guys make up the best sportswriting team in all the land. Thanks for the great columns.

Should Caps fans be overly concerned with Jagr's injury, which has gotten very little press? Something scares me with all the secrecy.

You can only see one live: Otis Redding or James Brown?

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: We'll find out this afternoon. Maybe. If he has to miss more than a couple of weeks... yes. --Mike

Oh please. You sound like Chicken Little... the sky is falling. --Tony

No, that's your role Mr. Anthrax. --Mike

There's like 900 games left in the hockey season. The league is taking 3 weeks off for the Olympics. Whatever he has will heal. --Tony

You mean like a ripped up ACL? YOu think he's coming back from that in a couple of weeks. We'll revisit this next week and we'll see what Dr. Tony, a man who has turned a sore throat into anthrax, will say if Jagr is seriously injured. --Mike

I'll say: "Otis Redding." What will you say? --Tony

I'll say: "James Brown." I've seen him live. It's fabulous. I saw him the night the bomb exploded at the Atlanta Olympic Games. --Mike

We've all seen him live..... on Fox. --Tony

Jessup, Md.: Tony and Mike,

What "say-so" did Marty have in losing the following 'Skins --

James Thrash
Larry Centers
Derek Smith
Tre Johnson
Endike Kalu

I sure would like to have them all back!

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: ALL OF THEM. And I'm not saying he could have kept all of them, but he could have kept at least a couple of them. --Mike

I am still somewhat mystified by the amount of cuts and push-out-the-doors Marty made on a team that many people (not all of them idiots) said had among the most talented rosters in the entire NFL. I still don't get it. --Tony

Nobody gets it. Normally you can readily understand why a team is just awful. It's tangible. This is VERY, VERY different. Right Tony? --Mike

Again, I've said this a bunch of times here in The Chat House and on radio and in the paper: sportswriters are supposed to have all the answers and none of us has any idea why the Redskins look like they do now. --Tony

East Gosford, Central Coast, Australia: T,

As a former Washingtonian do you think we can get the Redskins to consider a change of address, say -- to Australia where noone would know how much they're stinking up the Washington sports scene. I'd love them to join me in Oz.

M. Rosenberg
Former Terp, '74

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: Now, you went to Maryland at a time when MD played good football. But, you seem more obsessed w/the Redskins. --Mike

You throw the word "obsessed" around in the most preposterous way. A guy has one freakin' sentence and you say he's obsessed. I think you're possessed. --Tony

It might have been a bad choice of words regarding this guy. But sure as hell not regarding you. --Mike

Anyway, back Mr. Oz, don't you care more about MD's big victory over GA Tech? --Mike

He doesn't know they won. It's four days ahead in Australia. --Tony

Do you know my Uncle Andy Moran? He's a dentist in Gosford, Australia. Great place. --Mary

Columbia, MO: As I enter my city and state I'm left wondering if this increases or decreases my chances of getting this question answered . . . probably decreases it.

So since I don't think you'd answer a question like 'So, Tony who's going to win the big Mizzou-Iowa St homecoming tussle this weekend?' I'll simply ask you to break down the ACC football race. Is it Florida St's to lose now that Ga. Tech has 2 losses, or is it actually possible for the Terps to win the conference.

Also, Tony is Michael Westbrook worth starting in fantasy football this week?

Thanks.

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: Pay attention to the Miami at Florida State game tomorrow. If Miami wins in a convincing manner (which nobody has done at Florida State in I believe 37 games) then it's obviously a down year for Florida State and MD then is very much in the ACC Title picture. B/c by beating VA and GA Tech you have to rate them on a par w/Clemson which is a home game for MD. And then, you can blue sky your way into believing they have a chance at Florida State, a slim chance, but a better chance than they have probably in 10 years. --Tony

Yep. --Mike

That's it? --Tony

You stated a scenario that is not particularly arguable. --Mike

Well that'll kill the TV show. --Tony

I'll take the other side then on TV. --Tony

We answered your question b/c I saw it in the queue and I felt sorry for you. --Mary

And, btw, there is nothing big about Mizzou-Iowa State game this weekend. Let's get that straight. I am a Midwesterner. --Mike

Yeah, we know. --Mary

CHAT HOUSE UPDATE FROM THE BAT CAVE:It appears Tony has wet his pants. --Mike

Yeah, the sink exploded. --Tony

Yeah right. --Mike

Greenacres, Fla.: What date does your new show on ESPN start? We are looking forward to it.

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: The show starts on October 22nd at 5:30 pm EST time on ESPN. There will be a prime-time special next Wednesday, October 17th at 7:30 EST. And if they are smart, they will cancel the show after the first break. And we can return to our former lives. --Tony

Wheaton, Md.: Hey Guys!

Do you think that the 'Skins will seriously give consideration to trading Westbrook or Stephen Alexander?

Rick

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: Rick, they should b/c both are free agents after this season. So, if there is a team that can use either, and the Redskins can get back a middle round draft pick, then why not? --Mike

I can't answer this question b/c I am obsessed w/Michael Westbrook. ---Tony

See? I told you. -Mike

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: Good morning, gentlemen.

My question is based around a statement, so hopefully you can work it out. Daniel Snyder brought in Bruce Smith to help our defensive pass rush with Marco Coleman. Darrell Green was given a contract extension showing the more than deserved respect he deserves for not only his cornerbacking skills and game knowledge, but also for his loyalty to the Washington Redskins. Daniel Snyder admitedly is a huge fan of Darrell Green's, who, I might add should be starting. He would on any other team. Anyway, how can Daniel Snyder sit idly by and allow Schottenheimer to berate his players, namely Green and Smith, and continue to coach our 'Skins? OK, question two. Doesn't anyone realize that we were a playoff team two years ago, and 8-8 last year (without Schottenheimer), and now we're the laughing stock of the NFL. Alright, question

Three, Marty Schottenheimer is the 12th winningest coach in NFL history, granted, but how many Super Bowl rings does he have? NONE, so no matter how great his "system" is in his own mind, why doesn't he realize that if it WAS so great, maybe he'd have a ring. Oh, and I promise, this is the last one. Why has his brother still got a job? If it were anyone else but his family, that defensive LOSER would've been unemployed by now. Ray Rhodes took us from 30th to fourth last year, and now we're 31st. What a joke.

COMMENT: I normally don't like when the media publicly blasts an individual, but Coach Schottenheimer needs to be gone. This isn't Kansas City. It's Washington.

Hail to the Redskins!

A true fan,
Michael Matthews
IS2(AW) USN

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: We are happy that you are in The Chat House and from Pearl Harbor and we admire greatly your service and commitment to protecting us. Keep this in mind: Marty has gone South faster than any of us realized and nothing else really matters. B/c in football, when a team distrusts the head coach and his whole staff, they've got no shot. John Riggins said last night he believes the Redskins "despise" Marty and the rest of the season is a waste. Even more telling is that Sonny Jurgensen, Mr. Redskin, said he doesn't think it can be fixed at all this year. So, you don't have to listen to me. But, I would listen to both of them. --Mike

The only thing longer than your question is Wilbon's answer. --Tony

I want to ask a serious question. Before Sept. 11th, Pearl Harbor, was the only place on American soil that had been bombed. And I'm wondering how someone who is the Navy and living in Pearl Harbor, sees what happened in NYC and if it differs from the way the rest of us feel. Thanks for being w/us. --Mike

Arl, Va: Greetings Gentlemen and Happy Birthday Mary!

The past month has been tough for all of us. I just wanted to thank you for your thoughtful and senstive articles in the days and weeks following the attacks. For all it's silliness The Chat House serves an important purpose and is a valued forum to many, many people. I'm a chick whose sports IQ has been greatly increased. I also now know what CPT stands for and I have a new appreciation for Marvin Gaye. I know more about Direct TV and gated communities than I ever did before. You guys rule. Long Live The Chat House! Happy 3rd Anniversary.

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: Thank you very much. --Tony, Mike and Mary

DC: Half an hour in and no talk of Jordan?!?! Come on, let us have it: it was the first preseason game, preseason games mean nothing, stop drawing conclusions....

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: I didn't watch it. MD was much more important here... at least to me. And the Yankees-Oakland game was much more compelling. I'm an NBA fanatic, but not Wizards at Detroit. Not even Jordan at Detroit. --Mike

Oh please. --Tony

Chapel Hill, N.C.: Now that you're officially pimpin' yourselves, can we expect tie-ins and endorsements? Maybe Tony K's Mean Lean Grillin' Machine, or the Wilbon Special Edition Lexus? How about a Propecia Pompadour Race?

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: This is absolutely true: when Wilbon agreed to do this TV show, his first words to me were, "Yeah, I got a clothing allowance." So, you can see where we are headed. --Tony

The only question is how fast can we get there. --Mike

Greedy! --Mary

Of course. --Mike

Tustin, Calif.: Why doesen't Marty realize that the only way the Skins have a chance to win is with Davis carrying the ball at least 25 times a game?

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: BTW, Tustin is a great place for shopping. We don't know why he realize it. He promised smash-mouth football and he delivered fly-weight junk that's a cross between nothing and garbage. --Mike

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: Chat House update: Wilbon is leaving us to go and get a sandwich. He says goodbye. --Mary

Salt Lake City, Utah: Tony, I been a long-time admirer of your work (I'm a former resident of Takoma Park) but in my opinion your last two columns are perfect examples of what is wrong with sports in Washington. While discussing the Caps and Wizards you focused almost exclusively on hype rather than substance. Of course Jordan and Jagr will sell tickets and generate excitement amongst fans, but have they really turned their teams into contenders? More importantly, will they do anything to make their franchises better in the long run? If the post-Jordan Wizards suffer another 15 consecutive losing seasons, will we really be able to call the Jordan era a success?

It's funny you should mention the Redskins in the same pieces, because you seemed to fall into the same trap with them a year ago. The "buzz" and "excitement" generated by the signings of guys like Deion and Bruce Smith seemed to distract everyone from the major flaws that still existed with that team (e.g. not a single exceptional player on offense). Don't you think you should avoid doing the same thing now?

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: I think this is a very smart comment and it may have to do w/the lack of success here lately by the Redskins (a couple of marginal winning seasons since Gibbs left), the Wizards (when was the last time they were over 500) and the Caps repeated playoff chokes except for Wilson's first year. So, I am probably guilty of hoping for short term victories and hyping style over substance. I think your observation is largely correct and if I didn't have anthrax I would try and reverse myself in the future. --Tony

Uh, can you stop breathing so close to me please? --Mary

Really, I think your comments make sense. --Tony

haymarket: Greetings, Last night I came home to find my roommate watching Survivor instead of hockey or baseball or football. When do you think all this reality tv crap is going to end. The only realty tv worth watching is The Sopranos--WWTSD--Tony's acronym for What Would Tony Soprano Do. Words to live by.

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: You know what Haymarket, I don't watch Survivor, but in all honesty, w/the events of the last month and the warning from the FBI of "imminent terrorist attacks on America" I wouldn't watch Survivor at all. It strikes me--- the premise of the show -- as ABSOLUTELY NOT FITTING the reality of America now. I don't if any of you agree w/me, but at this moment in time, I find myself offended by Survivor. I think it's a cheap, little, cheese-ball of a show that CBS should keep in the can and not run now and wait for better times. That's my soap box for the day. --Tony

Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon: Ok. Time to go.

This week's picks:

NY Giants at St. Louis: St Louis
Denver at Seattle: Denver
Oakland at Indianapolis: Oakland, but I am only picking this to be different from Wilbon. Don't bet w/me.
Tampa Bay at Tennessee: TN
Washington at Dallas: At the Stupor Bowl: Washington out of some dumb, blind loyalty. Like I said, don't listen to me.

I have anthrax. I have to go. --Tony

Mike's picks:
NY Giants at St. Louis: St. Louis
Denver at Seattle: Denver
Oakland at Indianapolis: Indy
Tampa Bay at Tennessee: Tenn
Washington at Dallas: Dallas

See you next week. We'll be back here on Friday again at 1:30 pm EDT. I'll let you know when we switch to Mondays. It probably won't be the 22nd b/c that's the first day of Tony and Mike's new ESPN show "Pardon The Interruption." Stay tuned and have a great weekend. --Mary

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