We'll be doing some more live blogging tonight over at 12StepDrop at 8pm. Brady's back and Jon Gruden makes his debut on Monday (well Thursday) Night Football.

If you haven't been by 12StepDrop yet, checkout the Chatter section. It filters out all the useless tweets by the players and shows you just their thoughts on camp and their teams. Just what the internet needs, more fantasy data.

See you back here at 8 ...

Willis McGahee, signing things for the airmen at Andrews Air Force Base, outside of D.C.

I saw that Momma's Boy ad during halftime. My jaw's still dropping that someone green-lighted this for production.

Anyway, Suisham kicks off to Yamon Figurs and he gets to the 21 to start. McGahee gets a yard, and follows it up with seven more up the middle. Rice gets the next carry, but is short of the first, and that's a quick 3rd and out. Randle El fair catches at the 31 of the Skins. Portis gets 2 yards on the first carry, but loses 4 on the screen pass on the next play. Campbell hits Randle El, but he's two yards short as Corey Ivy makes a very nice neck tackle that had to hurt.

Figurs collects the punt and gets taken down at his own 20. Flacco to Mark Clayton for six on the screen pass.

Gary Cole is in everything. Now he's playing the blonde secret agent's con man dad in Chuck. I still expect him to be Lumbergh at all times.

Screen to McGahee for a first down. Ball at the 32, Flacco airs it for Clayton but it's over his head. McLain gets up to the 35 for a 3rd and 7. Flacco throws a bullet to Clayton at the 48 for a first down -- had some nice zip on it. McLain gets 2 on the carry. Flacco goes for Heap on the rollout 20 yards deep, but Carlos Rogers breaks it up. He hits Rice on the 3rd down play, but London Fletcher and DeAngelo Hall hit him short of the first down marker.

Madden: "Any time a team spends this much time in the huddle, it's a pass". And...it was actually a pass by the Ravens. He must have figured that out playing his video game. - Mal

Superstars of Dance? Really, NBC?

4th and 1....fake toss, and then a heave over across the field to Todd Heap, who picks up 24 yards. Complete psych-out of the Skins' defense. McLain gets another couple yards, up to the 17. McGahee goes up to the 14. Flacco gets flushed out and hit, but he gets the ball off and it's out of bounds. Matt Stover is on for a 32 yard FG try....up and good. 17-0, Ravens.

And the kicker is down!

"Crab cakes. You come to Baltimore, you gotta have that. That would have been a better choice than the osso bucco you had last night, John." - Al

Mmmmmm....crab cakes....Old Bay....hungry. Stover is apparently okay. Cartwright brings the kickoff back to the 36. Betts gains a yard on 1st down; Sellers makes the grab on the next play for six. Campbell's pass to Thomas is short and incomplete. Jim Leonard gets hit at the 18 after the Plackenmeier punt. The Ravens lose eight yards on the first play, McGahee gets four of those back. Flacco throws over the middle, and LaRon Landry picks him off, bringing it back to the 25!

Campbell scrambles to the left and gains nine yards to start, Betts gets all the way to the 15 for the first down. 4th quarter, ahoy!

The pass to Randle El gets broken up. Betts up to the 12, 3rd and 7. Blitz coming, and Terrell Suggs takes down Campbell way far back for a 4th and 20. Suisham from 43.....it's good, 17-3, Ravens. Washington avoids a shutout.

Jim Leonard brings the kick out to the 33, as I wonder why every stadium plays Bush's "Machinehead" at least once a game before kickoffs. Mason gets four on the catch. McGahee with the carry...and he's got another case of fumbleitis, and DeAngelo Hall picks it up. Ruling of a fumble on the field... this will probably be challenged. But McGahee is still on the ground, first.

Call upheld. Campbell hits Betts in the flat from the 30, and Betts hustles down the sideline for a 1st and goal. He gets the carry on the next play, and Suggs stuffs Betts for at least a 3 yard loss. Campbell has to throw it away on 2nd down thanks to a corner blitz. Betts catches the pass out of the backfield, but gets nailed by Ray Lewis at the 5. Skins will have to go for it, but take a time out first.

4th down...Campbell drops back, fires it through the middle, and Randle El holds on for the TOUCHDOWN! Suisham's kick is up and good, 17-10, Ravens.

McLain gets nine yards on the first carry, with Lorenzo Neal blocking for him. McLain gets out past the 25 for a first down after Bad Lo nails London Fletcher. Another big hole for Le'Ron, but he fumbles it at the 45. Lucky break, as a Ravens O-lineman falls on it.

"I think LaDainian Tomlinson is in San Diego waiting for him to come back." - John

Why is Jim Zorn challenging for four or five yards, essentially? All it does is put you at the 44 instead of the 49. You lose this and you have no challenges for anything more important.

So you get 5 yards, but it doesn't change that it's a first down and you don't have any more challenges. Absolutely no benefit for Zorn and the Skins. End around to Mark Clayton, and he gets to the Redskins 44. McLain goes to the 40, barreling over a couple of guys. McLain gets up to the 33 for another first down, and they're just moving it all the way down and sucking the life out of the Skins. Three more yards, and Flacco has completed 10 of his last 10 handoffs.

The Delaware product backs up, throws for the end zone, and Derrick Mason comes down with it, crossing the plane. TOUCHDOWN, RAVENS! Stover's kick is up and good, 24-10, Baltimore.

Carlos Rogers' next job: Pumping gas at Arco. - SSReporters

I doubt there's a Skins fan who would miss him. Meanwhile, Le'Ron McLain has the right to say to the Redskins, "Hey, fuckhead. Did I come at a bad time?"

Campbell's incomplete on 3rd and 4, and they'll probably go for it in one last gap, even though this game is over, for all intents and purposes. Moss makes the catch and moves the chains to the 39. 2 minute warning. Campbell drops back....and he's picked by Ed Reed once again, who slides to the ground in a nice little pose to top it off.

"I think my eyes would look that way, I'd see Ed Reed...and I'd go the other way." - John. McLain goes for a couple of yards. More McLain, as we run out the clock.

"If you can beat the good teams, then you go to the playoffs. If you can't, then you sit at home, eat cheeseburgers, and watch it on TV." - John
"No BCS rankings." - Al

Who gives a flying fuck about Michael Phelps, NBC? Stop showing him.

"Now come up with that 14-point play in 8 seconds!" - John

This game will end 24-10, with a Ravens victory. See you guys next week for the Giants and the Cowboys.

I said I'd make it up to you for the Ravens fans photo. I suppose Christy Cooley will do, won't she?

I'm actually looking forward to this game because I've not had an opportunity to watch Joe Flacco, really. So it will be interesting to see the Ravens with an actual offense. That said, I don't like seeing the Ravens in the playoffs; they always remind me of Modell's scummy little move and there's not really anything compelling or interesting about them as a team to outside observers.

That doesn't mean they're not a good team and that what they're doing under a first-year coach isn't impressive.

Skins will get the ball first, as Houska will kick to Rock Cartwright; they'll start at the 28 yard line.

Antwaan Randle El, game show host in training. Jason Campbell starts with a pass that's a bit short to Santana Moss. Hits Cooley on the next one, who makes it out to the 40. Campbell is hit as he throws, and Ed Reed comes up to dive for it....NICE PICK BY REED! Been doing that for a while.

First thing Flacco does is hit Derrick Mason right in the hands for 20+. First and 10 at the Skins' 29. Willis McGahee burrows in for a couple yards. Jason Taylor deflects the next pass.

There are enough players from the U in this game to make this a reunion. Portis, Moss, Lewis, Reed, McGahee...Ray Rice, the rookie from Rutgers, busts up the middle into the Skins secondary. First and goal! Flacco hands off to Le'Ron McLain, who barrels in for the TOUCHDOWN! Matt Stover's kick is up and good, 7-0, Baltimore.

Jeez, that was quick.

Houshka kicks off to Cartwright, who brings it back out to the 30. Portis gets four yards on his first carry, and 2nd and 6 at the 34 is incomplete to Randle El. The Ravens D hits Campbell as he's throwing and it falls short, so a 3 and out. Better than a pick, though...Ryan Plackenmeier's punt is partially blocked, and the Ravens will start with good position in their own territory.

On 2nd down, Flacco just throws it out of bounds when he has nothing to go to.

"He went to Pitt, didn't own a car, transferred to Delaware, didn't own a car, and he got to Baltimore and still didn't own a car. Someone recently gave him one." - John
"Was it a Bentley?" - Al

Flacco tries to run for it himself but is short on the 3rd down rush. The Ravens have to punt it away, and it's fair caught by Randle El at his own 11.

Clinton Portis gets the carry, and rumbles around, dragging Ed Reed with him to the 21, and THE BALL IS LOOSE! Ed Reed picks it up, runs, spins away from a player, and gets in the end zone!

Hold on, Washington's gonna challenge this and it looks like they're gonna get it back. Oh, wow, it stands! TOUCHDOWN, RAVENS! Stover's kick is up and good, 14-0 Ravens, thanks to Ed Reed being a ballhawk.

Nice, early hole to have to dig out of.

Wow, I'm not used to seeing good defense......I only watch Brian Russell. - SSReporters

I still think Portis' elbow hit the ground beforehand. Cartwright only gets out to the 17 yard line on the kickoff.

"For what it's worth, Cartwright just tried to stay warm." - Al, as the returner didn't think he was tackled and ran to the end zone. Portis maybe gets a yard on 1st down. One yard from Portis on 2nd down. Campbell hits Devin Thomas right in the numbers on 3rd down and picks up 17 yards. First down at the Skins' 37.

Portis isn't getting a damn thing. He gets hit behind the line of scrimmage and it's obvious the Ravens' D wants to make Campbell have to throw to beat them. The Auburn grad hits Santana Moss for eight or nine yards on 2nd down. Mike Sellers gets to the outside, jumps over the corner and crosses midfield for the first down by slipping a Ray Lewis tackle. First at the 45, and that'll be moving back to midfield on a delay of game penalty.

"He can even get into the end zone backwards; forward, sideways, backwards, any way you want to go in." -- John on Ed Reed

That's what your mother said last night! (cue bad Sean Connery impression) - Jay

The pen is mightier than the sword, Alex! Speaking of pens, here are the NSFW photos (as if any of you are working anyway) of Minnesota Viking dong shown on Fox earlier this afternoon.

Screen pass to Portis gets shut down by Ray-Ray and them for a loss of 1. Campbell scoots out at the 49 as the play breaks down, and it'll be coming back....Baltimore declines the illegal shift penalty to make it a 3rd and very long -- and down goes Campbell. Jim Leonard and Ray-Ray deck him at the Skins' 42. Plackenmeier's punt is downed at the B-more 16.

McGahee fumbles on first down and it goes out of bounds at about the 9 to start. Nice. McGahee gets back to the 11 on the next carry. 3rd and 15 goes to Ray Rice, who gets to the 20, but here comes the punt team. Skins start at 32 after the punt is downed. 1st down incomplete to Portis. Dr. Don't Know finally gets some room on the outside and gets to a bit past the 40, gets a first down. He carries it again for about four more yards. Campbell has another pass batted down on 3rd down, and Plackenmeier's gonna come out again.

Leonard brings the return out to the 27 yard line, but it'll go back a bit thanks to an illegal block in the back. Ravens start at their own 9, and McLain gets nothing on the carry. He gets it again on 2nd down and he'll be lucky to have 2 yards on that one. Flacco goes for broke on 3rd down, aiming for Mark Clayton past mid-field, and he and the corner get tied up and fall before the ball gets there.

Sam Koch boots it towards Randle El at the sidelines, but it winds up going out of bounds.

Campbell hits Randle El for 17 on the first play, and the Skins are already at the Ravens' 40. He throws the next one low, at the feet of the receiver -- but it won't matter, as defensive holding is called on Ray Lewis, earning Washington an automatic first down. Campbell rolls out and hits Devin Thomas for a few more yards. 2nd and 5 at the 31. Another pass deflected, this one by Jim Leonard. 3rd down's incomplete, looking for Randle El again. FG team's coming on. Shaun Suisham will try from 48, and it's not close.

God, Zorn looks like someone pissed in his cereal right now. - Anonymous

He reminds me of Coach Buzzcut from Beavis and Butt-head. I expect him to yell "KICK ME IN THE JIMMY!" at someone.

Flacco aims for Mason and the ball gets knocked out. 2nd down and 10 goes to Rice, who gets up to the 41. Another incomplete pass and Flacco is 1-7, and it's fourth down. Koch punts, Randle El is tackled at the 18. Moss makes the catch for 9 on first down; Betts then picks up the first down. Portis is on the sidelines, possibly with one of many nagging injuries. Campbell goes Air Mail for Moss, but Fabian Washington stays with him and gets a hand on the ball. Betts gets nailed for nothing by Haloti Ngata. Campbell slips a tackler, dishes it off short to Mike Sellers, who gets six or seven. Not enough for the first, and an illegal formation call on the Skins to boot. Declined, and it's 4th down.

The short punt gives Baltimore good field position, but they'll be moved back thanks to a holding penalty.

I guess you have to leave Oakland, if you want to have a good career. - 49er16

Fabian Washington is learning that, and Nnamdi Asomugha will too as soon as he can escape the Black Hole. Hopefully neither Darren McFadden nor JaMarcus Russell will be too wrecked by the time they're able to leave.

And the NBC cameras show the man much of Cleveland considers the Devil. Flacco goes deep again on first down and Todd Heap comes down with it for a 30 yard gain. Complete rainbow ball. McGahee gets a couple yards. The 2nd down pass to McLain is tipped.

A shot of Cam Cameron, whose woeful 1-15 as head coach in Miami last year will soon be forgotten by Rod Marinelli and the shitpile that is the Detroit Lions. Cameron's real first name? Malcolm.

Flacco runs to the left, but he's short of the first, and, well, punting is winning. Fair catch by Randle El at the 11. The Sportsman of the Year is in the luxury suites, and John and Al are waxing rhapsodic about Michael Phelps' love of football. I'd think he'd be paying more attention if he actually did, but then again, he probably is a fan, otherwise, he wouldn't show up wearing a jersey and a Ravens cap.

The Skins keep killing themselves. 3rd and 1 turns into 3rd and 6 after a false start. Follow that up with another false start, this one on Moss. Zorn looks like he just swallowed something nasty. Somehow, Mike Sellers had all the room in the world to get a first down...and that's because there was offensive holding. 3rd and 15 at the 4 -- and a short out to Santana Moss means he gets 26 yards, most of it after the catch, for a first down.

Portis picks up another first down on the next play, and the Skins are now close to midfield. He gets completely stuffed on the next carry attempt. 2 minute warning.

"Sellers runs up to the 45, setting up a very big 3rd and short." - Al, when the play resulted in a 4th down. He did correct himself.

Ravens start on their own 7 after the punt. McGahee runs for two or three, and another play will mean the end of the first half. Kneel and that's it: Baltimore's up 14-0 at the half. Yawner so far, though. See you in the second half thread.

Purple camo, beads, and face paint. Baltimore Ravens die-hards: quite possibly the most backward-looking group in terms of football gear fashion since the denizens of the Black Hole in Oakland.

Your late games, in a few sentences or less each:

• The Steelers have been absolutely woeful on offense in this defensive battle. Dallas has been good enough, despite two Tony Romo INTs, to get Romo and T.O. to hook up for a score and two Nick Folk FGs for a 13-3 lead. However, the 4th quarter is barely underway, and Pittsburgh is well into Dallas territory....and the Steelers just got stuffed on fourth and goal.
  
• Upset Alert of the Day: the Seahawks are up by five on the Patriots thanks to....Seneca Wallace? Yes, apparently, the Iowa State product has thrown for 200+ yards and 3 TDs so far (2 to former Pat Deion Branch) while subbing for Matt Hasselback, who's getting old and his back is flaring up again....whoops, now NE's back in the lead as Sammy Morris burrows into the end zone.
  
• Brett Favre is probably having plenty of fun out there, but he just got picked by Walt Harris of the 49ers, meaning San Francisco is still 10 points up with less than 2 minutes to play. Shaun Hill has thrown 2 TDs (three, really, if you consider that one of them was recovered by Joe Staley after the receiver fumbled in the end zone).
• Miami just waxed Buffalo north of the border 16-3 on a fitting ending: J.P. Losman got sacked, fumbled, and the Dolphins recovered. Chad Pennington threw one TD to Anthony Fassano and the rest was field goals.
• Denver is holding on by a touchdown at home against KC after coming back from 10 points down. Credit that to the Jay Cutler to Brandon Marshall Show, as the two have hooked up for two scores on the day.
• The Cardinals need to kill four minutes up 27-10 on the Rams. Anquan Boldin hits the 1,000 yard receiving mark for the fourth season as a Cardinal.....and it's now 34-10 after another defensive touchdown; Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie just pick-sixed Marc Bulger.

Document the usual atrocities of the Sunday Night crew, and we'll kick this thing off at 8:10 or so.

We knew that a flex was likely coming for Week Fourteen's Patriots-Seahawks game, but we weren't exactly sure which game was going to go in its place. The options were WAS-BAL, NO-ATL and PHI-NYG, and while I really thought it was going to be the Eagles-Giants, an Eagles loss against the Ravens made the Skins-Ravens game the most appealing. Well the Saints-Falcons would probably be the better game, but Skins-Ravens will surely pull in more in the terms of ratings.

The network has until tomorrow, but that's what I'm hearing from a handful of people this morning.

Expect NBC To Only Flex One Game This Year (Awful Announcing)

Redskins QB Jason Campbell kicking out the jams during a visit to the Levine School of Music, which is based in and around D.C. (there are campuses in VA and MD, too.) Maybe he might do something a little more interesting than Bruce Springsteen's "Working on a Dream." All his songs post-90s sound the same now.

So how many greenhouse gases did the "green" NBC Universal emit to fly the Today Show gang all over the world? - Anon

Funny because it's true.

The Nick Folk Implosion kicks off to "Hard as a" Rock Cartwright, who drops the ball out of bounds at the 7. Portis gest a yard on the first play, Cooley takes a swing pass up for six more. 3rd and 3. Campbell hits Devin Thomas at the 27 for the first. Portis gets knocked back for a loss by safety Keith Davis. Terence Newman cranks up Moss on a screen pass for no gain. 3rd down and long again. Short one on 3rd down to Cooley, and he's got a first down at the 38.

First fake from Campbell to Randle El, who can't find a target amid the rush, and the former college QB throws it out of bounds. Incomplete screen on 2nd down. Campbell finds Ladell Betts on 3rd and 12, who gets a 21 yard gain and is in Dallas territory. Portis gets a couple yards. Campbell to Cooley short, it's 3rd and 1 now at the Dallas 35. Campbell goes to the right side to Moss, and Terence Newman makes an acrobatic catch for an interception.

Bud Light Drinkability Girl would be more attractive if her voice wasn't quite so chipmunk-like.

Barber gets three yards, and we get a nice highlight of Skins legend Darrell Green chasing down Tony Dorsett in his first ever game. 3rd and 7 hit by Romo to Austin, but it's coming back for an illegal formation. No first down, and there's another flag for a false start. Incomplete on third down, punter kicks (I'm not even going to try spelling his name) and Randle El has it at the Skins' 38.

Immediately after the punt, Campbell goes long to Randle El, who winds up at the Dallas 37. Portis barrels through for 20 more, and they're tearing off big chunks on the Boys.

WE HAVE A SHAUN ALEXANDER SIGHTING IN THE BACKFIELD.

Of course, it's a pass play, and Campbell throws it out of bounds. 2nd down pass tipped, caught by Moss, but behind the line of scrimmage. Another 3rd and long -- Jay Ratliff gets his second sack of the night.

"Jay Ratliff is raising a lot of Cain in the middle of this field." - John

Shaun Suisham's 46 yard attempt is short, no dice for the Skins, and we go to break with David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel".

Look how big the hair is on the old broad in front of Jerry Jones. - Mal

No Tom Cruise tonight in Dan Snyder's box? - Anon @ 10:16
@ Anon 10:16, more likely in Katie Holmes' box. - Anon @ 10:18

That's too disturbing to even think about. Jason Witten makes it a 3rd and about 3 after his catch. Incomplete over the middle for Barber, and there's a hands to the face on Flozell Adams, which is declined for a 4th down. Cowboys' punter kicks it to Randle El, who gets whacked at the 20 yard line.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha rumbles for nine but it's called back for an illegal formation. Next pass incomplete to Devin Thomas, who basically got called for that last flag. Betts takes the short pass back to the 22 yard line, and you have to wonder if Jim Zorn just eliminated the deep ball in the playbook. Unleash the Dragon, Zorn Star!

Another short one to Cooley, and the Skins will be punting when the 4th quarter begins.

I can beat the Dallas Cowboys by roundhouse kicking the entire team in the face. The refs won't flag me because they fear me because I am Chuck Norris. - Chuck Norris

Aren't you like, sixty-something now? I wouldn't be surprised if you could raise a roundhouse kick, but still.

Crayton returns the punt to the 33 or 34. Barber out to the 40, he then takes it again past the 50 to the Skins' 48. He gets another 1st a few plays later, averaging 5.5 yards a carry tonight. MB3 again to the left side. There's a 3rd and 7, Romo finds Myles Austin somehow for a first down, which John calls, "a push pass."

"I don't know if there's such a word." - John
"Well, you just invented it." - Al

Romo goes deep for the back-up tight end Martellus Bennett, and he comes up with it at the one and makes it into the end zone. Kick is up and good, 14-10, Dallas takes its first lead.

I'm surprised he didn't call that a Brett Farve-like pass. - Anon @ 10:38
That might win the award for "Most Hideously Awful Pass to Become a Touchdown." And of course Madden lauds it. Brett had barely zipped up before Madden moved on to Romo. - PM
@anon: If John starts making Favre comments, I think the FCC might just have to shut down tonights broadcast. - J

The Skins will start out past the 38. Santana Moss couldn't bring it in after getting the deep ball from Campbell. Portis gets close to a first down at the 47. They get that and another first down a couple plays later via a 9 yarder to Moss. Tank Johnson nails Portis in the backfield.

"He put that arm and a whole lot more on him." - John. Campbell hits Thomas, but 5 yards short of the first. 3rd down is incomplete to Thomas, and Washington will take time out to decide what to do.

You die next signal to noise, sleep with one eye open because weapons do no good. - Chuck Norris

I fear no man whose greatest accomplishment is getting Ricky Bobby to name his kids after one of his characters.

4th and 4, and the Campbell pass is broken up by Terrence Newman. Bad play call. How many three-to-five yard short passes can you call in a row?

Some of you are definitely having fun with Shaun Alexander:

Well done Shaun Alexander, RIGHT INTO THE PILE! - SSReporters
Classic Alexander. Take the handoff. Turn your back to the line of scrimmage and fall down for no gain. - Mal
Has an MVP in ANY major sport fallen so quickly like Shaun Alexander? - BWAlaska

(Stumped on the last one.)

Great play call. Throw a pass to a well covered WR three yards short of the first down. At least it wasn't a slow developing run play (hello, Andy Reid). - Mal
As a Bears fan, I consider myself a connoisseur of shitty playcalling and I can say, categorically, that Jim Zorn is calling a very shitty game. - PM

MB3 up to the 42, and they're gonna keep rushing it with him to keep the clock moving. They're at the Skins' 43 now.

"That's a good formation for them, because they can get a lead on both sides now." - John, as Dallas uses two blockers in the backfield for Barber
"It's a convoy formation." - Al

"Barber, now in the role of Brad Lidge of the Phillies." - Al

Not nuts about the sports mixing metaphors. Another toss to Barber, goes to the 36 on the outside. Washington takes a time out to "Enter Sandman."

3rd and 8 on the Skins' 36 -- and it's a toss to Barber, who gets to the 26 yard line.

"And that big grin says it all!" - Al, referring to Romo. Peter King is getting out his hand lotion.

"If coach Zorn had a least favorite opera right now it would be 'The Barber of Seville.' He doesn't want anything to do with any Barber right now." - Al (via Static)

Two minute warning. Barber keeps rumbling along, he's down at the 16, and now it's a 4th down. Barber rolls out to the right on the play, and gets the first. Kneeldowns will do it, and the Cowboys will take it, 14-10, in Washington.

Thanks for joining me. I won't be around next week, since I've a wedding to attend in L.A. and will have to spend Sunday driving back (blech.) See you in two weeks for Week 13 of the NFL, and I believe we have some conference championship games in college football that week, don't we?

A minor miracle: finding a Romo photo, non-game action, without Jessica or Carrie Underwood in it. This is from T.O.'s birthday party last year, and you may feel free to start a caption contest because Michael Irvin is in it.

"For the Cowboys, this looks like a visit to the Last Chance Saloon." - Al

Ouch. Good notes for the Skins: Southeast Jerome is a go. I'm picking Washington.

General Motors is offering "Financing that Fits" to get you behind the wheel of one of their automobiles. Consider this while they are looking for a bailout.

The wind looks like it'll blow away Andrea Kremer. Shaun Suisham kicks off to Myles Austin, who brings it back to the 20 before being brought down. Romo's first pass is to Marion Barber III for a few yards. Hearing John Madden talk about full, strong grips is kind of unnerving. MB3 fumbles his first carry, but gains a couple and falls on the ball.

"And the first flag of the night, with referee Jeff Triplette..." - Al, as Triplette announces a time out by Dallas not even a couple minutes into the game. This is going to go well. MB3 takes the pitch and heads right, but gets stopped up big time. Punt up, Antwaan Randle El watches it go short. It's downed at the Skins' 35 or so, and thanks to a face mask on the Cowboys, they start at midfield.

Jason Campbell is incomplete with his first throw.

"I love Randle El. Every time he does that intro, I think he's auditioning to replace Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune." - Al, on the WR's player intro. Portis gets a few on 2nd down, and Campbell hits Santana Moss for a first down conversion. Portis gets another first down on two more carries. Jay Ratliff sacks Campbell at the Dallas 28, forcing a loss of eight yards. Portis gets back to the 25. 3rd and 14 is a throw in the flat to Mike Sellers, who is short of the first down by about a yard, and they're gonna go for it -- and Portis almost got a score on it. First and goal.

Campbell rolls out after the fake to Portis on 1st and goal, finds Sellers at the 1, who steps in for the touchdown! Kick is up and good, Skins 7-0.

They run like that all game, this is easy pickings.

Cowboys start at the 22, rolls out to T.O. short, who gets up-ended by Fred Smoot for two yards (insert Smoot double-dong jokes here.) Dallas loses that and a few more thanks to a false start penalty on Flozelle Adams (most penalized dude in the league.) Toss to MB3 on the next play, he gets back to the 26. 3rd down is an 18 yard throw from Romo to Myles Austin at the 44.

Barber takes a short pass for 2, Roy Williams reverses the hand off to T.O. for a no-gain. MB3 gets the next pass for eight yards and a first down. Williams gets the screen pass and gets another first inside the Washington 40. Barber rushes for 7 more. Romo throws incomplete to Austin on the next one, and is then picked on the next play by DeAngelo Hall. Skins' ball!

Campbell fakes to Ladell Betts and passes to Chris Cooley for 3. Betts gets nothing on the next carry, and Campbell's 3rd down pass is incomplete. Brian Plackenmeyer punts to Patrick Crayton at the Dallas 36 to end the first quarter.

Hall doing his best Randy Moss impersonation, by making big plays once out of Oakland. - 49ers16

"He says they're just a bunch of Joes ,and they just play hard. And they are a bunch of Joes, and they do play hard, but they also tackle well." - Madden (via Anon)

Romo throws short to T.O. for two yards, as Carlos Rogers bumps him out of bounds. Barber runs for a first, but it's offensive holding and is called back. Another short pass to Owens up to the 37 and 2nd and 17. We get a shot of back-up QB Brad Johnson with his O-lineman helmet. Romo to Owens is incomplete again on 3rd down. Punt goes to Randle El, who brings it back to his own 29.

It's "Ryan Plackemeier" not "Brian Plackenmeyer" S2N, who are you? Dick Stockton? - SSReporters.

He's a former Seahawk and a punter. He should be used to people screwing up his name. I don't understand the play-calling when 3rd and 8 is a screen pass -- and is offensive pass interference on Santana Moss. Here comes Plackenmeier, he punts to Crayton, who brings it out to the 38 of Dallas.

"As Bono would say, 'I can't live with or without you.' Let's take a look at how the Cowboys lived without Tony Romo...." - Al

MB3 gets 7 on the carry. Romo then goes to Roy Williams at the 31 for a first down. Tashard Choice gets his first carry -- he's probably playing because there is no Felix Jones, still, either. Next play, the pass is tipped, as T.O. is hit when the ball arrives, and it's another pick, this one by Rocky McIntosh. 4 drives for the Boys, two punts, two picks.

With the ball now at about their own 20, Campbell hits Cooley, who picks up eight or nine yards. Quick slant to Moss for a first down at the 33. Portis goes for 2.

3..2..1.. Mount TO is about to explode. - 49er16

That's not fair. *sniff*. That's his quarterback you're talking about! *sniffles*

Totally faked out the Dallas D on 3rd and 8 with a QB draw play, and Campbell took two tacklers with him into Cowboys' territory. Ball on the 41 after a 22 yard gain. Portis busts around the outside to the 37. Skins lose five yards, with the ref claiming they didn't call time out in time -- and they wind up having to call time out anyway! The best part was the aborted bump music of Stone Temple Pilots, but we got Iggy Pop on the way out.

"Devin Thomas, he was in, he was out, he was in, and Zorn says hold on." - Al Michaels with the double entendres (via SSReporters)

Oh, so that was a penalty for 12 men in the huddle. DeMarcus Ware envelops Campbell back at midfield. Plackenmeier punts, Rock Cartwright tries to down it at the one, but he rolls into the end zone and Dallas will start at its own 20.

Jim Zorn challenged it, and Triplette announced "Number 31 recovered the ball which hit him in the rear end." Screen pass to T.O., caught and hit at the line of scrimmage. Barber gets up to the 24 on 2nd down, Wade Phillips has a confused look on his face. Romo to Williams for a first down. Romo to Barber again for six yards past the 45, then hits Jason Witten for the first time at the Redskins 27 just before the two-minute warning.

Keanu Reeves as a robot? Talk about type-casting. - Mal

It's all about how little he can actually say in any given role. Romo hits Owens inside the 10, he's down at the 2 for a first and goal. MB3 fights off a tackle and gets in the end zone. The booth replay team will have a look at it via review. It stands, touchdown. Extra point is up and good, 7-7.

Rock Cartwright takes the kickoff and busts it through for 58 big ones to the Dallas 38. Campbell to Cooley to the 28 and a first. Campbell then hocks one out of bounds. Short pass, but can't get out of bounds. Suisham will be trying a 42 yard field goal. Attempt is through the uprights, Skins go into the locker room leading 10-7.

See you in the second half thread.

Thanks to an Anon in the previous thread, we have video of Donny Mac admitting he didn't know an NFL game could end in a tie.

Late game notes:

• Tennessee up by three on the Jags right now; Kerry Collins threw a bomb of a TD pass to Justin Gage.
• The Rams are truly pathetic. Niners up 35-9 at this point.
• The Steelers hold an 8-7 lead on two FGs and a safety; LDT rushed for the Chargers' score....wait, SD just kicked an FG. 10-8, Bolts.
  
• Seattle is down six to the Cardinals after scoring 13 unanswered.

Tonight: The Return of Romo, visiting FedEx Field and the division rival Redskins. Which owner is more megalomaniacal: Double J or Mini-Snyder? Answer that question and many more about FNIA in the comments, such as whether Peter King will note Romo's place in smiling royalty. Live blog starts at 8:15 EST.

Well that was just about the quickest set of questions I've ever seen in my life. Both candidates did a good enough job, and with both sets of questions exactly the same, there was really no room for any mistakes. The Berman impression from McCain was pretty funny though and Obama's pro-College Football Playoff platform was well received. Video later but we're moving back to the game for now....

10:24- 10-6 Steelers at the half and we're seemingly just getting started in this defensive battle/boring as hell game. And wow.....Michele Tafoya is reporting that Byron Leftwich is coming into the game!!! Huuuuuge. Steelers ball to start....

Moore out to the 28-yard line and here comes Leftwich! Amazing turn of events there. I'd be waiting for a steady dose of Parker....and on cue he picks up five going up the middle. Willie up the middle again and it'll be 3rd and a yard....

Davenport this time....first down on the second effort. Heath Miller now out too. That first half was a battle. Leftwich back to pass......avoids the sack.....DEEP TO WASHINGTON! Got it.....wide open for 50 yards. Amazing throw there. 1st down at the Skins 11....1st down run by Parker gets three, 2nd down is thrown out of bounds, 3rd and long....First down at the one to Mewelde Moore. That's a dagger and a half right there....

Parker up the middle....Touchdown....

Extra point is missed though....16-6 Steelers

That was just a dominating drive and a great way to start a second half. Skins go three and out on their first drive of the second half and it appears that 10 points is all the Steelers D will need. Skins punt to Holmes and he's taken down at the 50.

I'd rather watch the Saved By Zero ads than those rollover minutes ads where the minutes look like pogs. I mean, I'm still completely baffled by the minutes being pogs and and why you'd even conceptualized rollover minutes as being physical entities... fuck those rollover minutes ads! (Via Anon)

Amen. I hate the one where the guy spills the milk on them. First down run by Parker gets nothing, and then an end around to Washington loses six as Washington wasn't fooled. 3rd and 17....Moore loses even more yards and that's a three and out for Pittsburgh. Skins ball at their 28 after the punt.

"It's all about penetration."- Ron Jaworski

Ohhhh yeahhhh!

This is the Giants game all over again. (Via SS)

If this was the Giants game all over again, there would be a comeback coming. Tragically for AA, the Redskins are overrated and have no chance of coming back. I bet you guys can't wait for next week's Sunday Night Live-blog where I can display my Eagles' homerism and you can laugh at me as the Eagles lose to the Giants. (Via JFein)

10:46- They just can't move the ball against good rush defenses. Plain and simple. I wouldn't say they're overrated, but they're certainly a one-trick pony. Right on cue, Campbell goes to Portis for four. Portis up the middle for five and it'll be a third and one....

Play action to Cooley and he gets it all the way out to the 50. That was a ballsy yet impressive call. Portis up the middle for three and into Steelers territory. Screen to Portis for sixteen and I've said it time and time again....best play in Football. Especially with a blitzing team like Pittsburgh.

PICK! Fumble......PENALTY FLAG!!!!! Holding....Steelers ball. Pardon me while I lose my s**t.

"Best looking drive the Redskins have in a while." - Mike Tirico....then the interception. (Via SS)

Jaws seems to think the Redskins should challenge the play but there's no chance Townsend didn't pick that one. Skins challenge anyway. The ball is moving, but he seems to have control there at the very end. He doesn't make a step though, which could be something. Don't think it's getting overturned personally.

Can I safely assume that The Steelers and Obama are going to win tonight and just go to bed now, or do I have to suffer abit more yet? (Via Rob in WI)

Yes....you are free to go. The call is upheld and Leftwich is sacked on first down. Parker gets a few back and it'll be 3rd and 15....First down as the Redskins decide to blitz yet again.

"Big long, elongated delivery."- Ron Jaworski

Parker for eight and a Landry tackle saved an even longer gain. Parker is dropped by Horton though on second down and that's a loss of two. 3rd and 4....Moore is wide open and that one goes into Skins territory. End of the third.

Great play by Leftwich (AGAIN!) as he escapes the blitz and dumps to Moore for 25 yards. That's all the way down to the 22. Moore up the middle on first for two is followed by an incomplete pass at the goal line to Holmes. 3rd and 8....

First down to Hines Ward. Nice catch and a TD here will end it for the Skins....

"Steelers up ten. Looking to add Moore....Mewelde Moore."- Mike Tirico

Ugh. 2nd and Goal from the five....

Leftwich to Holmes and that's another TD. Why Carlos Rodgers was giving him 8 yards when the ball was on the five is beyond me....

23-6 Steelers.

After a nice run from Portis, and a lucky roughing the passer call on a fourth down, the Skins are faced with a third and twelve from the Steelers' 23.....Cooley gets the first down over the middle and we're under nine minutes left in the game.

Campbell up the middle....Touchdown. It's going to be challenged because that one isn't even close. Campbell is a good yard away from the goal line and Washington will probably kick the Field Goal they need now.

Did Stewart Scott just say Barrack Abama? (Via Anon)

I think I missed that one, but anything is possible with Stu. Of course the Redskins go for it now. I know it's a half a yard, but it just doesn't make sense to me with just one timeout....

Of course they play action and don't get it. Just dumb. Well wait....if they get a safety then it was a great decision. Ooooh almost on first down. Moore barely gets out.

Steelers opening up the ginormous can of whoopass. If I'm Hooded Sweatshirt Head Coach Who Shall Not Be named next week, I'm officially worried. (Via James Craven)

Not with Ben Roethlisberger's should ailing, but Leftwich isn't that bad of a backup. Berger's punt goes to the 30 and if this were Madden, I would just kick the FG right now. The Skins however decide to go for it on another 4th down and Campbell gets dropped. Just terrible play calling, but then again....what's new right? On two goal line plays when you were down 17 with upwards of 7 minutes left....you lost a timeout for basically no reason, and two attempts to make it a two score game. Ugh.

Steelers will jump up a few spots in the power rankings and the Redskins will obviously drop a good bit. With a bye week, and then the hungry Cowboys coming in, things aren't looking so cut and dry anymore. Great win by the Steelers though and that Week Seventeen game against the Titans is going to be an all out war.

Final: Steelers 23 - Redskins 6

Steely McBeam is ready for the game and I know you are too! As in any live-blog of one of my teams, I'll try to be as unbiased as possible, but I apologize ahead of time if I randomly lose my s**t from time to time. The game starts promptly at 8:30pm, so I'll see you then.

Ooooh! Brady Quinn is finally getting a start for the Browns. Apparently former Brown, Tim Hasselbeck is not a fan of the move. It's also highly suspect when the team is just 3-5 and their next two games are on Thursday Night and Monday Night Football.

Wait... so if the Steelers win, then Obama wins, and if McCain wins than the Redskins win... I wish someone, somwhere would have explained this to me for the 9000000th time (Via Rob in WI)

Okay here it is. If the Redskins win....McCain wins. If the Steelers win....Obama is in the White House. It's based on which party won the last "popular vote", hence the issue with 2004 (Gore won the pop vote in 2000 and the Skins lost to the Packers).

I agree with everyone that Dr. Kornheiser is going to be extremely annoying tonight. Over/under on Sarah Palin references: 5 (Via JFein)

Man, I didn't even consider the Politics angle for Tony to use tonight....son of a....

"I played for a short period of time, after he had been through all of those hits, with a quarterback who was more talented than Ben, in Jeff George."- Cris Carter

He is out of his g'damn mind!

Picks:

Steve: Skins
Emmitt: Steelers
Stuart: Skins
Coach: Skins
Key: Skins
Cris: Steelers
TJ: Steelers
Boomer: Steelers
______________________________

8:34- Here we go folks. Yet another Monday is upon us and we're about to get underway. And I'm loving the all-maroon look for the Skins tonight!

AA, Jason Whitlock would agree with Chris Carter. (Via 49er16)

True true. Tony goes into the terrible Redskins free agency woes, and while I'm sick of hearing about them, he couldn't be more spot on. Although I wouldn't have included Jeremiah Trotter in there.

"They're spending less and winning more. I dunno....maybe America could do that too?"- Tony Kornheiser

Here we go. Skins ball to start.....AND AN ONSIDE KICK!!!!!!! Redskins recover....wow that was a bold move there. Penalty to boot and Washington will have the on the Steelers 36. Draw to Clinton doesn't get anything on first, Campbell to Cooley picks up a six, and it'll be 3rd and 2....

Portis to the right....about a yard. 4th and 1 and the Skins are going for it. Wait, no...Suisham heads out for a long FG.....

GOOD! That was a quick score and the right decision....

3-0 Skins

If only Suisham could hit them in a wild card game in Qwest Field. (Via SS)

So true.

8:46- Moore returns it out to the 30, and here comes Big Ben. Pitch to Parker and he gets about a half a yard on first down. Roethlisberger overthrows Holmes on a second down blitz, and it's third and ten....

Tipped....picked by Cornelius Griffin! Starks tried to duck but it hit him in the head and Grif grabbed it at the 30....Campbell deep to Moss.....No! Should have been picked too. Campbell to Thrash and that nets about four....3rd and medium....Campbell behind Randle El and that'll be another FG attempt...

Good....6-0 Skins.

"What did I do?"- Mike Tirico
"You pre-saged it."- Tony Kornheiser
"Sage Rosenfels?"- Mike Tirico

Now that made me laugh.

With the all red, I wonder if Chris Samuels is having a flashback to his days at Alabama (Via JG)

I hope so....he could actually block people back then.

8:54- Moore gets cut down at his own 23....Pittsburgh ball from there with 11 minutes left in the first quarter.

Need TD's..not FG's (Via Anon)

Story of a Redskins Fan's life. 1st down Parker run gets eight and Ben hits Washington over the middle for the Steelers' first, first down. Actually that's the first for either team. Ball at the 40....Parker up the middle for a few is followed by a Rodgers knocking down a pass on a Holmes' slant. 3rd and 6....I'm guessing blitz....

It is....sack. Actually only one man blitzed there. 4th down and the Steelers will punt. Fair catch at the 25 yard line. Campbell to Moss for 9 yards and close to a first down and....Clinton breaks one! 22 yards into Steeler territory. Great run off tackle to the right there.

Whoa... girl behind Drunk Kicker was pretty hot... more of her please? In the Campbell/Doug Williams jersey (Via Rob in WI)

Her?


Clinton again and he gets two on first down. Campbell is sacked on second down and it'll be 3rd and 8. Timeout Skins. Incomplete pass after the stall and the Skins' punt goes into the endzone. Neither team can move the ball at all early on.

Westwood one radio keeps calling Santana Moss Santino Homles (Via FHGF)

A lot of people seem to have that problem.

Saved by Zero....DRINK! (Via Anon)

Yes....that's our new drinking game. Good lord that commercial is on every break. Also that Fallout 3 ad is ultra-creepy. First and ten for the Steelers....and Mike Tirico catches a shot of ESPN's George Bodenheimer hanging in Snyder's booth. Greaaaaaat. Roeth to Holmes....incomplete. Parker for nothing. Third and ten....Big Ben misses Holmes again and Rodgers should have had a pick there (***Skins homerism alert***- Catch something RODGERS!)

A 28-yard punt by the injured Berger is fair caught by Randle El in Steelers territory. You would think the Steelers might have brought someone in during the week. Alexander for a couple and it's third and short....

"That would be okay if you were a horse with four legs. But since you only have two, that's is a hundred percent of your hamstrings in trouble."- Tony Kornheiser

Timeout Skins as the Steelers show a third down blitz again. Just assume they're blitzing every time. Campbell to Moss and he is wearing Ike Taylor on his back....no call though. Skins to punt....Moore with the fair catch at the nine.

9:18- Parker gets a nice block from Davis and that's a quick 15 yards. Nice run. Parker again and he gets three on the draw.

Was that a flask sitting in front of Goodell? Perhaps a gift from Adam Jones. You know, something to take to the skrip klubs. (Via Mal)

Ha. Looks like it. Roethlisberger to Spaeth for about a yard....wait....dropped. 3rd and 7....Big Ben to Washington annnnnnd....he can't hang on! They are not giving their QB any help out there. Steelers punt....fair catch at the 35.

Campbell to Randle El for about five on first down. Portis on second down loses a yard and it'll be 3rd and 6. Portis limps off the field and that's the end of the first quarter.....

6-0 Skins.

Tony, they throw vodka bottles not pads in Philly. (Via 49er16)

9:25- Steelers blitz on third down and Harrison gets to Campbell in a heartbeat. Skins punt an Santonio Holmes fights his way out to the 30. Portis looks fine....first and ten Steelers. Parker up the middle for a couple is followed by another Willie run to make it 3rd and 2....

Incomplete on the screen to Moore. Amazing play by London Fletcher sniffing that out right away. Fair catch is almost dropped by Randle El....Skins ball at their own 28.

Tirico needed to say, "Smoot returns to Washington after a couple years and one druken-hooker party on a boat in Minnesota." (Via 49er16)

"That one dropped out of the sky like a skydiver. Without the parachute."- Mike Tirico

That was morbid.

9:30- Campbell hits Moss on the sideline on first down, but the receiver was out of bounds. Nice catch though. 2nd and 10 and Portis gets just a yard. Third and long....Campbell scrambles....sacked! Don't know what he was thinking there, and the Skins to punt.

Holmes on the return. He picks up a few but there's a block in the back that will start the Steelers from their own 21. That was one heck of a punt right there. Play action.....Roethlisberger to Ward!!!!!!!! Caught it! No!!! Dropped, but there's a flag on the play....pass interference. Rodgers never even looked for the ball and that was just chucked up in the air. 43 yard penalty which was more than Pittsburgh's total offense up until that point.

Ben Roeth is pressured on first and that'll fall incomplete. 2nd and 10 at the Skins' 36.....Roethlisberger deep again!!!!!!!! Holmes misses it. Rodgers on the coverage again. 3rd and 10....timeout Steelers.

"Some people like coverage, some people like shoes."- Tony Kornheiser

How many Steeler fans are actually in the crowd? woww..talk about home court advantage lost (Via Anon)

It's so bad for any NFC East game, when the Steelers come to town, or more randomly....the Denver Broncos. Redskins throw the kitchen sink at Roethlisberger but to no avail. Ward gets the first at the 24. Parker for a yard on first down, Spaeth gets upended by Washington after a few on second, and it's 3rd and 2. Evans with the sack of Roethlisberger and that'll give Reed a short FG attempt....

It's good! We've got a barn burner here folks.....

6-3 Skins with 8 minutes left in the half.

Does anyone else expect the halftime interviews to be lame? (Via Anon)

Yes....they're going to be pretty terrible.

9:45- Steelers kick off and Rock Cartwright gets his first chance at a return. He takes it out to the 24. 1st and 10....Campbell hits Cooley for six and while a nice throw....the QB looks skittish back there. Portis picks up the rest and a bit more and that's a much needed first down for the Skins.

Campbell to Yoder but the TE drops it....2nd and 10. Portis for nothing, and there's a flag on the play. Holding....accepted. 2nd and 20 from the Skins' own 25. Campbell out quick to Randle El......ALMOST PICKED! Should have been too by Towensend. 3rd and 20....

Underneath to Portis for about five and here come the Steelers! Holmes back to receive.....he falls at his own 35 and Pittsburgh will get it from there with 5:38 left in the half.

Roethlisberger to......CARLOS RODGERS DROPS A PICK SIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good lord that kid can't fucking catch.

"Gotta be the shoes."- Tony Kornheiser

Go to hell, Tony....go to hell. Parker with a nice move and he gets it to 3rd and 4. Hines Ward gets blasted across the middle and the Steelers will punt. Fair catch at the 27 by ARE.

9:55- Campbell to Moss for four is followed by a Portis run for no gain. 3rd and 6....Campbell to Cooley and after a terrible spot by the ref, the Skins will punt....again. I would have challenged that one....

BLOCKED! About 20 Steelers attack Plackemeier and he had no shot. Steelers ball with just over 2 minutes left and it's their ball at the Skins' 13....

"Somebody make a play on special teams....IT'S BLOCKED!!!" - Mike Tirico

Gholston sacks Roethlisberger for a loss of two and that's the 2-minute warning.

"It's like almost going to be about field position in this game". - Dr. Kornheiser (Via JFein)

You think? Parker up the middle, but there's a penalty on the play....holding and the Skins send them back ten. 2nd and 22 from the 25 yard line. Roethlisberger to Holmes and he gets back to the original line of scrimmage. 3rd and 12....

Ben to Ward at the goal line.....he's not in but that's a first down at the one inch line....timeout Steelers. That throw was a laser in between about four Redskins.

"Lot of terrible towel flags Tony."- Ron Jaworski
"I'm not happy with that."- Tony Kornheiser

I thought Tony hated the Redskins....interesting....

Roethlisberger up the middle.....TOUCHDOWN PITTSBURGH! The Steelers take the lead with :32 left in the half....

10-6.

I think the next Adam Sandler movie is about a sportscaster who can predict the next play. It co-stars Rob Schneider as the team mascot who makes crude comments about the cheerleaders. Look for it Summer 2009. (Via Mal)

That sounds like a winner! Roethlisberger leaves the field and the Steelers kickoff is taking by Cartwright out to the 32. :27 left and the Skins will probably just sit on this one. Michele Tafoya tells us Big Ben hurt his hand and that's not good.

The Redskins try a play action throw on first down?!?!?! Campbell sacked and that's the half. I'm going to check out these Presidential candidate interviews and I'll see you in a new thread....

10-6 Steelers.

Listen, I'm not the biggest fan of heights myself, but when a thirty second long, 50-foot roller coaster has you screaming at the top of your lungs....I don't know what to tell you. From the Dallas Morning News via With Leather....

You learn something knew everyday. Not only is Newman afraid of heights, but the Baby Jesus weighed (weighs?) 8lbs and 6ozs. Actually come to think of it, Newman was at a Six Flags, right? That was actually a very, very bad idea getting on that coaster my friend. You got lucky this time, but next time remember that The Snyder is everywhere!

Dallas Cowboys CB Terence Newman rides roller coaster at Six Flags (Dallas Morning News)
Terence Newman Is A Brave Little Boy (With Leather)
Terrence Newman Rides a Roller Coaster for the First Time in His Life, Screams Like a Girl (Fanhouse)

Darrell Green is by far my favorite Football player to ever play the game, but yesterday was all about Art Monk. I think this four minute standing ovation shows exactly how every Football fan feels about his entrance into the Hall....

Congrats Art....it's about damn time.

Well we now know where ESPN's allegiance is. The Baseball HOF Ceremony was relegated to ESPN Classic, but the NFL one on Sunday will be broadcast on ESPN Uno. We even get Chris Berman back as host!

ESPN will present live coverage of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2008 induction ceremony Saturday, August 2, at 6 p.m. ET from Canton, Ohio. NFL Live’s Trey Wingo will host the three-hour primetime telecast with analyst Tom Jackson. ESPN’s Chris Berman, entering his 23rd year as host of Sunday NFL Countdown, will emcee the ceremony that honors the six members of this year’s class – Fred Dean, Darrell Green, Art Monk, Emmitt Thomas, Andre Tippett and Gary Zimmerman. The telecast – which will re-air Saturday night at 11 p.m. on ESPN Classic – will review each inductee’s career with speeches from the inductees and their presenters.

Correspondent Bob Holtzman will also provide reports for SportsCenter and other ESPN programs throughout the Hall of Fame weekend, including coverage of Sunday’s Redskins-Colts game.

Obviously as a Skins fan, it's going to be a great day for me, but when you add in the game the next night it's just an awesome weekend of all things Football. I should be around most of the weekend with vids if you want to stop by. Football is here people....let us rejoice!

(Via ESPN PR)

I know that "ESPN Nonsense" is one of my favorite tags to use on this site, but occasionally it's a good thing. For over a month the folks at First Take have debated whether a punt returner could go goal line to goal line against a bear. Well they finally went to the authorities on both to find an answer. Antwaan Randle El and a Bear expert.....

Only ESPN has the resources to pull something like this off, and while very pointless....it's very entertaining. Also, as much is I like Randle El, he has zippy chance against that bear.

ESPN First Take Tackles Huge Philosophical Question: Bears (LOCG)

I know I was trying to move past all the Matt Leinart photo talk but there's one more opinion you need to hear. Redskins TE Chris Cooley talks with the Blog Show about that and other sexy topics....

These Leinart pics are almost a month old, so I'm not quite sure why ESPN is all over them the past 24 hours, but hopefully this is the end all of the controversy. Also, I'm hopeful that Cooley will get to release those photos of his wife Christy he hinted at.

Blog Show No. 48: The Cooley Interview (Mister Irrelevant)

I never know whether to use the exclamation point or not. That title either reads like it should or that I'm really really excited that Cooley is blogging for Yahoo(!). I mean I'm excited because I think the guy is hilarious, but I'm not going to freak out about it.

Anywho (to stop my rambling), the Redskins TE is officially a Yahoo blogger and his first post is a pretty good on on his draft day experience. Here's a snippet....

Two months earlier I got my first cell phone. Yeah, 2004 and Chris Cooley finally has a cell phone. The problem wasn't that I had a phone, the problem was the service. I couldn't keep more than one bar in the corner of the phone, and I was starting to believe that I must have been missing calls. I had spent the last four hours glued to the screen, but had to drag myself outside to at least see if I got a message from someone. By the time my foot hovered over the bottom stair of the front porch the house erupted. The cheering couldn't be mistaken, but I had still never received a phone call.

Eighty-first pick to the Washington Redskins and I could have never felt more relieved. I remember thinking why hasn't the team called me? It was a perfect thought as my little brother turned to me and said, "Oh yeah, some guy is on hold for ya, he's only been on hold for a couple minutes." I took the phone and Joe Gibbs says, "I hope you want to be a Redskin, we had to trade up for you." Joe Gibbs! A Hall of Fame coach wanted to trade up for me.

This has to be one of the weaker classes in the history of the draft, but reading stories like this gets me hyped to spend a Saturday drinking beers and projecting who's going where. I'll be here all day on Day One hitting the highs and lows, so I hope you can join me.

The Cooley Zone: My draft day story has a happy ending (Yahoo Sports: Shutdown Corner)

And I used to like you BradyFan83....

Ugh.

Update: This makes me even more sad....

Redskins Hire Jim Zorn as Head Coach (SI.com)

The second best receiver of his era is finally in the Hall of Fame along with my favorite player ever. After so many years and arguments it's almost better that one of the Redskins best offensive weapons is going in with one it's best defensive ones.

Huzzah! (If you need me I'll be napping with both my #28 and #81 jerseys on)

The most infamous tailgaters, The Dead Tree Crew, were featured on Real Sports last night and did not disappoint. Via the Sporting Blog.....

Real Sports always does a great job with these type of stories and this one is no different. I personally hated my last trip to Fed Ex field for the Giants game this past season, but that's just me. I saw two full on brawls, people yelling at kids in Giants jerseys, and there was a rumor of a female fan getting accosted in a bathroom as well. There's also the fact that beers are $8 and the stadium's parking situation is just impossible.

Maybe I'm getting old, but I actually agree that it's pretty out of control. At least in Raljon er, Landover, Maryland it is. That's just one man's opinion though.

People Get Drunk at NFL Games? Shocking! (The Sporting Blog)

I really thought long and hard about doing a live-blog and I just couldn't bring myself to do one. I'm going to be yelling and screaming all game long but I'll add your comments and Announcer quotes below the WWWWWH below.

Enjoy the game and S2N will be here later to give you your traditional live-blog for the Jags-Steelers.

Who: Redskins-Seahawks
What: NFC Wildcard Game #1
When: NBC 4:30pm
Where: Seattle
Why: You play to win the game!
How: Clinton Portis in the Laboratory with Spanky Janky
Spread: Seahawks -3.5
Weather: 42 Degrees, Cloudy and Winds 20-30 mph
_______________________________

"I thought you had a big head in person."- Tiki Barber to Chris Collinsworth

Jamie Moyer to raise the 12 flag? What, was Shawm Kemp busy? (Via Mal)

That thing is all tangled up too.

Ah, Tom Hammond. When will the NFL Network wake up? The NFL needs to give Gumbel, Kornheiser, & Emmitt mountain bikes a la The Simpsons -- then we can move forward. (Via Anon)

Ha....good pull.

Oooh Nirvana. They're breaking out all the Grunge. Seriously....first Pearl Jam now Teen Spirit. If they play Spoonman drink 10.

"Don't you have to wonder what Todd Collins' Mom is doing right now?"- Cris Collinsworth

"Clinton Portis has a way of getting small" - Cris Collinsworth (Via Mal)

"When that guy's coming in their face.....it's a whole different story for a Quarterback."- Cris Collinsworth

"He's finger lobbying."- Cris Collinsworth (Via Mal)

So that's what the kids are calling it these days.

"He's a business partner of Dan Snyder's, hoping it's not a Mission: Impossible for the Redskins." - Tom Hammond on Tom Cruise being at the game (Via S2N)

"Patrick Kerney sucking up some oxygen, but he's been sucking up some Quarterbacks today."- Cris Collinsworth

Okay folks I'm out of here to drink away my sorrows. Hang around for S2N's live-blog of the late game and stay safe tonight.