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With Tony Kornheiser
and Michael Wilbon
Washington Post Columnists
Monday, Dec. 3, 2001; 1:30 p.m. ET

Searching for answers? Then The Chat House is the place for you.

Here is a transcript of today's show:

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to The Chat House. I feel extra psyched for today's chat b/c I was at both the Wizards game on Saturday night and the Skins game yesterday. And here's my summary: pathetic. Mike will join us via cell phone for the first couple of minutes and Tony is here in the flesh. --Mary

Let's roll. --Tony

I'm coming. I'm driving as fast as I can to get there. It'll probably be a couple of minutes though. I'll take a couple of questions by phone. --Mike

Cleveland, OH: Good cop, bad cop, doesn't matter. I just love a man in uniform!

What is with this Cowboy dominance of the Redskins? Don't the players hate Dallas as much as the fans? Maybe they don't remember Roger Staubach, Clint Longley, and Harvey Martin (the wreath incident) but I sure do. Sometimes it seems like you'd get more inspired play against them if you suited up some fans. I am disgusted!

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Don't you just love those glasses on Tony? --Mary

Good Cop, Bad cop is my favorite segment. Wilbon is not here yet, so I will make this brief on the Cowboys and the Redskins. The Cowboys beat them. The Redskins didn't lose that game. The Cowboys won that game. They beat them on the front line: offense and defense. If the Redskins were ready for the game, the Cowboys were more ready. This is not about finesse or nuance. The Cowboys simply beat the Redskins. --Tony

wiredog: Between the SI cover, Penn State losing, and it being against Dallas, the Chesapeake Watershed Region Indigenous Persons were doomed yesterday. Which is why I went for a walk rather than watch the game. On the Va side of the river, upstream of the Legion Bridge. Wonderfully non-crowded.

So, are you guys going to SLC for the Olympics?

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Wiredog, the first two are things I mentioned in the column yesterday. I find the Penn State similarity very eerie and I am grateful to the Letters to the Editor on Friday for pointing that out. The SI cover jinx is well documented. You did the right thing by bailing out on the game. Wilbon will go to Salt Lake. I will not. --Tony

Reading, PA: Will you be logging into LaVar's chat at 2?

Also, what the hell happened yesterday!?!?!?!
Do you think Snyder and Schottenheimer can make room and trade for Bledsoe in the off season? The Skins are in desparate need of a natural QB with poise in the pocket...Banks just doesn't cut it as a starter.

thanks.

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: What is LaVar going to do on his chat-- yell at the fans? LaVar is a great player who might consider hiring a PR expert to calm him down before he yells at the fans again. Bledsoe has a big contract, but I'm sure the Patriots would be happy to deal it away now that Tom Brady has established himself as their QB. Hmmm... Bledsoe as a Redskins....Well Marty seems to be comfortable w/pocket QBs so maybe.--Tony

Odenton, MD: NOW do you understand why Dallas tossed Tony Banks? BTW, Tony, loved your column in yesterday's paper.

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Thank you. I tried to be funny and paranoid at the same time. --Tony

Fairfax, VA: Tony/Mike: Did either of you have a chance to play golf Saturday? We were on the Lakes in Fairfax when the fog lifted about 10:30 and thought we had been transported to San Diego, only with deciduous trees. Mary: what's with the honor code violations at UVa? Aren't the Gen-Xers smart enough to avoid being caught>?

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Yeah, I played both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was UNBELIEVABLE. 70 degrees on December 1st. It was warm enough that my swing felt pretty good. I actually had a 40 on the back which is spectacular for me. I can't believe we'll have another weekend like that until March. --Tony

My son wants to go to UVa to play golf. We know Mike Mitchell who played at Virginia and Mike told my son that you get Lacoste shirts so that's it. That's where he wants to go. --Tony

Yeah, it's pretty pathetic. --Mary

What's pathetic? --Tony

The cheating. --Mary

Rockville, MD: Tony, would you replace Dennis Miller if you were offered the job?

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: No. I have too much to do now. I am over-exposed to the point of being a sad, pathetic figure. I make myself ill. And you have to fly to do that job. Though I find it interesting that Dennis Miller now is attempting to look like Dan Fouts and Miller also appears to have gained about 20 lbs. But, I think he was the right choice and I'm sure if I were not asleep at 9 pm, I would enjoy his work. --Tony

You're not pathetic. --Mary

Fairfax, Va.: Alright, lets talk about futbol. Okay, its not American football but I'm excited about the U.S. chances of actually winning a World Cup match. However, do you think the U.S. would go to the playoffs after they face Portugal, Poland, and South Korea?

Also, if, and I mean a big if, the U.S. would win the world cup, could soccer be mainstream in the U.S.?

Tracy

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Tracy, I have no idea how the soccer stuff will go. But it seems to me the US got a great draw. How could can Portugal be? There are 1500 men and 60,000 olive trees in the country. I've been to Portugal. The people there are tiny. How good can South Korea be? The only reason South Korea was seeded in the top group was b/c they are one of the host countries. That's a great draw for the US. And Poland? Are they good? Are they as good as say France? Or Italy? Or Germany? Or England? So, I think the US can get to the 2nd round... don't you? --Tony

Mike update: he's still not here. Soon. --Mary

St. Matthews, KY: My wife doesn't like sports much, but she loves PTI. She likes your timed bits because it gives her enough info (without spending half an hour analysing one play) to understand conversations her coworkers and I have. It's the only sports show she'll watch with me.

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Thank you very much. The guiding genius behind the show is Erik Rydholm. He came up w/all the bits and the bells and the clocks. He has conceived a show in which Wilbon and I don't have time to be annoying gas bags. All we have time to be is annoying. So, if you like the show, tell your friends who are Nielsen families to watch. And if you have no friends who are Nielsen families, then just watch on your own and enjoy it. --Tony

Gaffney, S.C.: Tony,
I read your column Sunday morning before the Skins/Cowboys game last week. I wanted so much to be confident of a Skins victory. I wanted to see the Skins trample the Cowboys as they revved up for a December playoff race. I wanted to believe that the Schottenheimer Skins, now on a roll, wouldn't, and couldn't crumble like those Turner Skins of old. But down deep I knew it had to be too good to be true. Unfortunately, you're column turned out to be prophetic. Thanks for telling it like it is. Will we ever see that Bandwagon again?

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Yeah I got lucky on that column actually. I wrote so I could take credit either way. But, the more I wrote it, the more I had a sinking feeling that the Redskins would lose. They are just not a very good team and so there is probably some justice in them not winning the division-- though maybe they still will. As for the Bandwagon, it certainly is not coming out this and I'm afraid I'm so old that it's just too late to do it again. --Tony

Alexandria, VA: As a Maryland alum, I am so very excited to see my teams doing well...What are the chances of Gary and the Terps winning it all this year?

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Maryland had a great 2nd half against Princeton yesterday. But they had no business being down 13 in the half. I have yet to see a game where Maryland got good games simultaneously from Baxter, Dixon and Blake. And if they don't get that from those guys in particular, their best players and their most veteran players then I don't see them in the Final Four. Unlike last year, they are not that deep anymore. So they need to perform at a higher rate of efficiency. From what I've seen, Duke is the best team and Maryland is comfortably top 10. But again, at the end of the year when it's single elimination they will need Baxter, Dixon and Blake to carry them. --Tony

15th and L: If you guys could pick two MLB teams to contract, who would they be and why?

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: I would move Montreal and I would contract both Florida teams b/c they both stink, they both play in dumps and people in Florida don't deserve all the Major League sports they have. This is a joke. They have everything there! In South Florida, Central Florida (Tampa and Orlando). They have too much. --Tony

Montclair, Virginia: Can the Wizards make the playoffs?

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: You're wearing me out. I mean really. We go through this EVERY freakin' week. Call up a radio station or a TV station and ask them if the Wizards will make the playoffs. Don't ask us anymore. --Tony

Yeah. --Mary

Alexandria, Virginia: When will Kwame get more minutes?

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: I went to the Wizards game Saturday and Kwame Brown played about 5 minutes. He was totally lost out there. The game moves at a pace far beyond his ability now. He can't play defense and he doesn't seem to know what to do on offense. He's a teenager. He doesn't belong in the pros. You draft him b/c you think in 3 years he'll be good. But I don't know how you can give him even 15 mins. a game now. I'm not disputing the draft pick though last year I argued for Shane Battier. It's just so obvious that the kid is lost. So his playing time will have to come in practice. --Tony

Bethesda, Md.: Mary,

I did the Wizards/Redskins doubleheader, too. Next time, let's go together. (You're not married, are you?)

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: No, I'm not married. How do I know you're not a freak/ferret? --Mary

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Tony is signing off for now. Mike will take over. I'm being told he's just pulled into the garage of The Chat House headquarters. Stand by for a sec. Thanks. ---Mary

Alexandria, Va.: When you guys did a segment on Jennifer Lopez on PTI, I suddenly realized: PTI is just The Chat House on TV. Put a webcam on the top of the computer while you two rant in The Chat House and you have PTI. I think we faithful ferrets deserve a cut of your fat ESPN contract. If not us, Mary at least.

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Yeah that's true. We have been robbed! Just kidding. But, we don't have the cool props that PTI has and you'd have to see more of Tony and Mike's faces. --The Chat House

Montgomery Village, MD: I turn 23 this week and although I'm half your age (two of you anyways), we share similar appetites by the looks of it. Can you recommend a nice, romantic, top tier restaurant for me to go to with a lady-friend. Not a steakhouse. Thanks.

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Okay... top tier? How much does your budget allow for and how serious are you about the girl? You don't want to send a double message b/c that's really annoying. So, if you are super serious and have the cash, I like Butterfield 9 or Gerard's Place. Both are romantic and have great food. If you're just trying to impress her w/your disposable income but still want a semi-intimate setting, I'd go for a little something more low key like Bistro du Coin in DuPont or McCormick and Schmick's on K Street. Let us know how it goes. BTW, the restaurants I just suggested are not washingtonpost.com endorsements. They are just some suggestions from me personally. Gotta through in that disclaimer just in case.--Mary

Mike update: Mike is here. Let him get settled and I'll have him jump in a sec.....

Fairfax, Va.: Redskins by 20 or more, great prediction Mike!

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Sorry I'm late. Okay.... it was a great prediction. It was a sorry performance. They should of won by 20. --Mike

Washington, D.C.: People are wondering why the Redskins aren't calling plays for Michael Westbrook. My only conclusion is that GM Marty is making sure Westbrook doesn't reach whatever incentives are in his contract since he took a cut for an incentive laden contract.

Whatelse could resonably be a legitimate answer for not utlizing a player who can potentially score everytime he touches the ball. If Westbrook is lined up on the left side, Banks locks in on the right and vice-sersa. What say ye'.

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: I think it has to do more w/the QB's relationship w/Westbrook not the coach/GM. The one day Banks was out and Kent Graham played, he threw 9 passes to Westbrook. QBs have their favorite receivers. Look at the way Aikman relied on Moose Johnston. --Mike

Washington, D.C.: College football!

Gotta love those upsets from Tennessee and Colorado! I think there is more emotion and better action in college than pros.

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: That's b/c you're a college Ra-Ra person. That's fine. To appreciate college football, you don't have to downgrade the pros. No college competition at any level, EVER has more action on the field or court than the pros. --Mike

Memphis, Tenn.: I've heard a variety of theories about this but let me ask the two of you: what is the best way for a woman to learn about sports in order to impress her sports-junkie beau?

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: You're never going to learn sports for the purpose of impressing someone else. You only stuff, seriously, if you have an interest getting into it yourself. I've heard this a million times and it takes root unless the woman somehow finds herself somewhat interested in it. Not only that but the guy always knows it's phony deal. I did. --Mike

I feel your pain. I like sports but wasn't really into it until I started producing the Chat House 3 years ago. Although, I still can't spell all of the names! --Mary

James in DC: I have lived in this city for 42 years and the frustration over Howard University Athletics has never changed. I don't have a question, just wrote to say that your 11/28/01 column was 100% correct. Howard University officials spend too much time naming their famous alumni to care anything about the young men and women athletes that attend their school. My teenage son calls Howard " high bourgeoisie". Maybe this will open their eyes, but I doubt it.

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Thank you. --Mike

Powell, Ohio: Mike --
I really don't have a question, I just needed to vent about the loss today to the Cowboys. I have been an avid Redskins fan for 40 years. Even though many people feel the rivalry with the Cowboys is not what it once was, it still is with me. I feel if we can beat the Cowboys, I really don't care what happens the rest of the season, I'm happy. How is it possible that they can come out as flat as they did and figure they can catch up in the second half? They allow 85 yards rushing over the past five games and the freakin' Cowboys get over 200! How is this possible? I am sick and tired of their not understanding the importance of this game, year after year. I was getting to the point I could hold my head up after their 0-5 start and now this. I truly am just sick. Thanks for letting me vent to you.

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: No problem. Hope you feel better. That's what we are here for. --The Chat House

Washington DC: How good can LaVar Arrington be?

Also, in an unrelated area, how much will the Terps miss Terrence Morris, if at all, especially considering Mister Wilcox' emergence?

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: He can be the MVP, defensively of the league next year. He had an outside chance this year, but yesterday' loss might have ruined that. That's a good question about Terrence Morris. They do now, yes. But I think by February as Wilcox becomes comfortable taking on a bigger load that Maryland will be okay w/him. More than okay. REALLY good. But, Morris, despite his flaws late last season was a critical member of that team. --Mike

Herndon, Va.: Mike --

I've always wondered how players and coaches react when you criticise them in your articles or on TV? Do they ever say anything when you run into them?

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: GREAT question Herndon. Just like anybody in any walk of life or discipline some people are more upset by it than others. Some don't care. Some find it a nice launching pad for discussion. Some think you're a complete idiot. But, if it's not a cheap shot, if it's legitimate questioning or criticism and if you show up and make yourself available to be criticized in turn, most guys are remarkably professional about it. God knows Marty could easily decide never to speak to me again. But he has been incredibly conversational w/me and open w/his comments and direct and never surly. Not once. I thank him for that and it shows just how professional a football man Marty is. Same could be said about Norv in the 7 years he was here, particularly given all the criticism directed at him. --Mike

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Okay. Time to go.....

Our Picks...

Tony:
Chicago at Green Bay: Green Bay
San Francisco at St. Louis: Ohh...I'll say San Francisco
Washington at Arizona: This time I'll take Washington
NY Jets at Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh
Tennesse at Minnesota: I couldn't care less.

You have to pick one. --Mary

Okay. Let me go 0-5. And pick Minnesota. --Tony


Mike:
Chicago at Green Bay: Regrettably, the Packers.
San Francisco at St. Louis: Oh...Rams, but I'm not certain.
Washington at Arizona: Phew....If the Redskins had won yesterday, I'd pick them again. But the run
is over, I'm taking the Cardinals.
NY Jets at Pittsburgh: The Jets really screwed up yesterday. Pittsburgh
Tennesse at Minnesota: Oh... um....Minnesota is SO done. I'm going to take the Titans and
I think TN could be righting itself before it's too late.

Thanks for joining us today. Have a great week. See you next week at 1:30 pm ET.--The Chat House

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