The Chat House
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon
Washington Post Sports Columnists
Monday, November 03, 2003; 1:30 p.m ET
Sports talk time in The Chat House!
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon joined you to talk sports. It all happened right here in The Chat House.
The transcript follows.
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.
Crofton, Md.:
Hey Guys, I know this is too early to think about, but if Spurrier goes back to coach college, as Sean Salisbury suggests, where do you think he would land (or what kind of school)? Or would he just take his millions and play golf?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Hi. I don't think he's going back to college. I didn't know there was a meeting in which Sean Salisbury was appointed ruler of the football universe.I do think when Spurrier leaves he'll probably just go and play golf for a year or so and think about whether he needs rehabilitation by becoming a college coach. --Tony
_______________________
Denver, Colo.:
Are the Broncos done for the year as far as getting in the playoffs?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Nobody is done unless you are 2-6 right now. What's the Broncos record? 5-3. So, how are they done? I mean when Jake Plummer gets back, why aren't they going to make the playoffs? --Tony
_______________________
McLean, Va.:
So I read Wilbon's Redskins obit this morning. The thing is, I'm willing to believe that the offensive and defensive lines are terrible. That seems obvious. But is it Spurrier's fault? I'm reluctant to blame him for underperforming (or no) talent on the line, but tell me if I'm off-base.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: I'm certainly reluctant to blame Spurrier. I advocated hiring him. But it's clear that whAtever he is trying to do isn't working. I guess you can scream about the owner and the assistant coaches and scream about the players, but the coach has control of the product on the field. And if it isn't winning, you have to blame the coach. --Tony
_______________________
Falls Church, Va.:
Though I was surprised by how poorly Miami played against VA Tech, I am of the opinion that this sets the stage for the best possible match up: Oklahoma (who is at this point a guarantee) VS. USC (who is clearly the hottest team in the country right now). What's your guys's take? Also, how annoying are these stupid slogans for every week of games (Separation Saturday, Survival Saturday)? This is football, not the presidential primaries.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: The slogans are ALL stupid and if Oklahoma against USC for the national championship makes you happy, then we are happy. --Tony
_______________________
Centreville, Va.: Hey Guys, let me AX you something. Do you think Keith Van Horn can actually be as good as he looked last night, or are the Knicks just that bad?
Ben
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Ben, Keith Van Horn has had ample time to prove that he can score 29 pts in the pros and he hasn't done it. He's been traded 3 x already. What does that tell you? He's a nice scorer who tends to disappear in the 4th quarter, which, ironically is when he was at his best at Utah. --Tony
_______________________
Washington, D.C.:
I thought before that the Redskins could be a good team, however yesterday game made me think this is a team that will never win or play consisently for 60 minutes. It quite frankly reminded me of norv turner teams that gave hope but never produced. What are your thoughts?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: My thoughts are obvious: they have lost 3 games in a row and look terrible. I am stunned that their offense is so ineffective. I think we are looking 3-8 and I have no explanation for it. Interestingly, it's possible to date the decline of the Redskins to the day Norv Turner was fired w/a 7-6 record almost 4 yrs ago. --Tony
_______________________
Potomac, Md.:
What does the loss to Georgia Tech mean for the Terps? Bowl Bid possibilities? What will the Terps have to do to secure this?
Thanks.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Maryland has 3 losses and still has to play NC State which is clearly capable of beating them. I can't imagine that Maryland will go to any bowl you want to go to with them. --Tony
How about the Aloha Bowl? --Mike
Well, you would want to go w/them. --Tony
Anybody would want to go to the Aloha, except you. --Mike
They end up in the Cherry Bowl in Detroit or the Seattle Bowl or something in Memphis where it's 14 degrees. --Tony
_______________________
Washington, D.C.:
How come none of our teams here in DC win? Can you think of a sports city that has it worse?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: The explaination for the losses is "Curse oh Les Boulez." Can I think of another city that has it worse? Atlanta stinks. And Miami stinks.
They have the Marlins and the Dolphins and UM. --Mike
Right. --Tony
Chicago stinks. --Tony
But we've got the Cubs. But we do stink other wise. --Mike
San Francisco stinks. --Tony
But they've got Bonds. --Mike
Ok. Nobody stinks like Washington. --Tony
What about Phoenix? --Mike
They've got nice unis. Nice orange unis. --Tony
_______________________
Ashburn, VA:
It looks like the Redskins need a big brusing back like, say Steven Davis, to keep the opposing defenses guessing. What a bone-headed move to get rid of the one constant in the 'Skins past few years. I think this is the one single move that undermined this team. A big back is exactly what Spurrier lacks. He finally has great receivers. They could have used Davis to set up the pass, right? Thoughts?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: What makes you think that Spurrier would use a big bruising back in a way thats' effective? He just had him and didn't want to use him. It's not about individual players. He wants to play his system, which increasingly looks like it can not work in the pros. --Mike
_______________________
Sterling, Va.:
Where do we go from here? Will Spurrier be here next year, and if not, who are the top candidates to coach in DC? thanks
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: You are asking a question that everyone is asking today. There is no answer. If they go 3-13, but more realistically 6-10 is there a certainty that Spurrier will be back? I wouldn't call it a certainty. But it's WAY too early for that and candidates emerge from teams that go deep in the playoffs whose coordinators become attractive. We don't know who is going to emerge yet. How about someone from Bill Parcells staff in Dallas? Those coordinators have been w/him in NY and New England. It's too early. I know it's tempting to look ahead, but not THAT far ahead. --Mike
_______________________
Arlington, VA:
Hey Mike & Tony, do you think Patrick Ramsey's future as an NFL qb is going to be hurt by the battering he is taking this year? I've read some pieces suggesting that today. I feel bad for that kid! - jason
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Yes, I do. I wrote a piece in today's Washington Post quoting a former college and pro coach as saying that. He's going to be damaged. I feel for him too. He's a nice kid w/a lot of talent and he's just being bludgeoned every week. --Mike
_______________________
Washington, DC:
While I am a Cowboys fan and do enjoy seeing the Redskins suck, I had high hopes for Spurrier. It seems the Cowboys had just as little talent as the Redskins and they seem to be doing just fine which leads me to believe the Redskins poor play definately leans on the Spurrier. Don't you think?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: The Cowboys have a much better coach. The Cowboys have one of the ten great coaches in the history of the NFL. The Redskins have a coach that is trying to learn the NFL. The Cowobys have the same roster pretty much as last year when they were 5-11. Look at them now. --Mike
_______________________
Odenton, Md.:
Mike, Your column this morning was dead on. When will "someone" wake up and realize that if Patrick Ramsey does not get protection that the NFL, as it pertains to his career, means Not For Long! Also, why isn't anyone on that sorry line at least offering him a helping hand up off the turf? I'm a Dallas fan and I feel sorry for the kid.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Thank you. That's a great question as to why they aren't helping him up. I wonder if a coach would say that suggest some sort of head-hanging. I don't know. It doesn't speak well of the line. --Mike
_______________________
Washington, D.C.:
Guys- Where to begin with the Redskins... actually its the same old same old, but how about we take a closer look at our DBs, Bailey and Smoot? Why do they not jam the receivers at the line? They both gave up critical 3rd conversions by lining up even with the first down marker and allowing the Cowboy receivers to run right at them and convert. Are you still going to tell me that we have two of the best cover DBs in the league? I'm sorry but they look like swiss cheese out there!
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Bailey and Smoot? What are you talking about? That's about the 20th most important thing regarding yesterday's game. What were you watching? Did you see the Cowboys linebackers and safeties teeing off on Ramsey like he was a golf ball? Smoot and Bailey? --Mike
_______________________
Burke, Va.:
My daughter is 11 years old, and with the exception of the playoff loss to Tampa Bay a few years back, the Redskins have been big losers her ENTIRE LIFE! How is it that Dan Snyder can claim to be a "great fan" of the 'Skins and know their history and not know that when you build a football team, you START with both the offensive and defensive lines and fill other positions after that! That is exactly how the Skins under Gibbs came into prominence, and any long term fan knows that. How can an owner say "he's a Redskin for life" and then release the best running back since John Riggins two years later"? Dan, if you want to win, get the hell outta the way and let some real football people do the job. You have proven over and over again that you have absolutely no idea what you're doing, and you are alienating the 'Skins from the rest of the league AND the fans. You seem to be the only one who doesn't realize that your actions regarding the team resemble Bid Bidwell more than Jack Kent Cooke. Do us all a favor and sell the team. You have single-handedly ruined our beloved franchise and do not have the mental capacity, patience or tact to be able to fix it. No question...just voicing what everyone else knows/wants to say already. Sorry.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: A Chat House rant.
_______________________
Hong Kong:
The Skins just got beat by one of the more discipline oriented coaches in the league and after the game Spurrier's response is that he isn't going to get on his players anymore. I think he desperately wants to be a success in the NFL, but did we just hear him give up?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Are you serious? Are you in Hong Kong? No, I don't think he's quit. I think he's desperate and frustrated and trying to figure out what to try next. People in sports don't just quit like fans and a lot of sportswriters think. --Mike
_______________________
Lanham, Md.:
Do you think Danny boy is kicking himself knowing he had a great NFL head coach, but only hired him as a Defensive Coordinator. Now, Marvin Lewis is making strides in Cincinatti. Your thoughts?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: GREAT point. He had a real live NFL head coach on his staff, but he wanted a bigger star. He's obsessed with stars. --Mike
_______________________
Reston, Va.:
How true are the reports that Susan O'Malley is in the process of cutting the Wizards sales staff, because sales are so awful this season?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: How could you possibly be surprised if that's the case? --Mike
_______________________
Blacksburg, Va.:
How 'bout them hokies? Was WVU a fluke?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: They played so well to kick Miami's butt... the WVU loss looks so bad now. That could keep them from the national championship game. It was really a bad loss. --Mike
_______________________
Washington, D.C.:
A lot of people are saying the Wizards are a sleeper team in the Eastern Conference. Would you agree with that assessment or do you think they're a year or two away from being legit contenders?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Sleeper based on what? Their record is 1-2. And they got Dallas on Wed night... they got no proven stars and their closest thing to a star, Jerry Stackhouse, isn't healthy. I think it's going to take a year and maybe a 2nd year. I know that the East is weak, but I don't see the Wizards making the playoffs this year. But, it's early. Maybe the kiddies will grow up kind of like the way the young players in Phoenix last year and the year before. --Mike
_______________________
Washington, DC:
Correction needed: Marvin Lewis was the defensive coordinator under Spurrier. Snyder couldn't have hired Lewis as the head coach without firing Spurrier first.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: True enough. Good catch. But he could have hired Lewis INSTEAD of Spurrier. Lewis was only living 40 miles down the road in Baltimore and he wouldn't have asked for 5 million a year. --Mike
_______________________
Crownsville, MD:
Gents,
Daniel $nyder owes the fans of the Redskins an apology. The pathetic display that was this weekends game has been cultivated by Snyder over the past few years. His sole focus is using the Redskins to milk us fans out of more money. The parking prices, the ticket prices, the Redskins Stores, and finally the hiring of Steve Spurrier who, bless his heart, actually believes his system will work in the NFL, were conscious efforts by $nyder to increase his teams revenue without regard for team performance. Remember the 70th anniversary celebration,WHO THE HELL CELEBRATES 70? Ah, but for $350 you can get a jersey that says 70th anniversary. Lets call it the uranium anniversary, and the meltdown has finally happened. I see the mushroom cloud over RalJon, or DanSny, or Fedex Maryland (or whoever he's sold the town too) as we speak.
If Dan $nyder wanted to win, Steven Davis would still be here, and I hate to say it, but Steve Spurrier would not. I know Davis doesn't fit Spurrier's system, he fits an NFL system. He runs like Franco Harris, and Larry Czonka, and dare I say it, Riggo, all of whom kept the defense from blitzing with 8 or 9 guys, and all of whom won Super Bowls. He also looks pretty good with another first year starter in Carolina (Delhomme). They could have restructured Davis's contract to accomplish this, and still be able to pick up some of the free agents they wanted (Coles, etc).
But a high profile offense, end zone dances, and 41-38 wins sell tickets, hats, jerseys, and other crap which at the end of the day mean nothing to anyone other than Danny $nyder and his already fat wallet.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Lots of really, really LONG rants that we aren't going to be able to get to today, but we'll post something of them.... like this one... --The Chat House
_______________________
Washington, D.C. , Northern VA, and most of Maryland. :
Seriously, they should just fold the redskins trademark, move the team to Montreal call them the "Broken Dreams" and let them crush the hopes and dreams of fans in that city. God I hate being a fan. Screw Boston. Forget Chicago. Those cities have incremental gains and losses with over a hundred contests in a year. When everything hinges so dramatically on each Sunday (especially following a bye week) each victory is momentous, each defeat a kick in the nuts of our soul. And I blame you Mike. Yes you too Tony. For your coy teasing us into belief. By being just non-committal enough to allow us to believe that this may be a team in the mold of those I enjoyed with my father, and he with his. A team to be proud of. A team to tell interlopers here for a two or so year term is one of ~ours~. Everyone covers their ass and says oh, wait till next year for the breakout. This team may win a few games, and it appears to have addressed most of their needs but... blah, blah, blah, Bulls---! What you need to say is "This team will suck this year. If they win a few games it will be a surprise. Don't even watch the games. Rather, dutifully attend your house of worship and pray to whatever higher power you see fit that Patrick Ramsey may not meet a painful death this week and that if he does finally succumb to the endless beatings administered by 300 pound men on his defenseless mortal coil, that it may be, in the immortal words of Stewie Griffin, quick and painless." Please don't blow smoke, admit you were pleasantly surprised to be wrong after the fact. It does more harm than good.
Sincerely,
The Entire Untied States of the Skins.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: And this one. --The Chat House
_______________________
Bethesda, Md.:
How can an offensive line with basically four all-pro lineman play so poorly? It's not just the scheme! You can't put all the blame on Spurrier. These guys are getting pushed back on their buts on every play. I read in Sally Jenkins latest column that they need to get more talent on the offensive line. How much more talent can they get. Maybe too much talent is the problem. When you sign "talented" players to big contracts, you basically don't have any power over them. You can't cut them because they will get paid with their bonus money anyway. Even if you do threaten to cut a player for playing poorly, you can't scare them because they'll just be picked up from another team, and that team or some other team will give them a big contract. Basically what I'm saying is that the problem with the Redskins may be that they have a lot of talented players that can't be motivated by fear. They can only motivate themselves, which apparently they can't or won't do.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: And this one. --The Chat House
_______________________
Centreville, VA:
Of the 8 remaining games, is there any team the Skins can beat? 3-13, 4-12, 5-11, could it really be this bad? - Pat
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Yes, New Orleand and the Bears. That might be the only 2. --Mike
They are going to have to play the Bears in Chicago when it's going to be like 7 degrees. Would you would you favor Tony? --Mike
Nobody. --Tony
_______________________
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: We have to go. We suggest you go outside and enjoy this beautiful weather and vent your frustrations.
Picks:
NFL Week 10
Wilbon:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers: Bucs
Baltimore Ravens at St. Louis Rams: Ravens
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans: Titans
Buffalo Bills at Dallas Cowboys: Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers: Packers
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Redskins: Seattle
Tony:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers: Panthers
Baltimore Ravens at St. Louis Rams: Rams
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans:Titans
Buffalo Bills at Dallas Cowboys: Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers: Packers
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Redskins:Seattle
Have a good week. --The Chat House
_______________________
| 
