Posted on September 28th, 2016
By DERON SNYDER
There’s loss and then there’s loss, all of which is relative.
In Washington, the Nationals and fans are lamenting the knee injury that ended catcher Wilson Ramos’ season.
In Miami and throughout baseball, folks are in mourning after a boating accident ended pitcher Jose Fernandez’s life.
Fretting about the impact of Ramos’ absence as the Nats enter the postseason is put in perspective when compared to the suffering in Miami, where teammates, fans and a pregnant girlfriend are steeling themselves for a final goodbye. The stark contrast adds weight to the words spoken by Washington manager Dusty Baker after Ramos was declared out for the playoffs.
“Nobody is going to feel sorry for us,” he told reporters. “We’ve just got to next man up.”
Sometimes it’s hard to not feel sorry for yourself when circumstances conspire against you. Losing the woe-is-me feeling is easier when a real tragedy occurs and breaks up your pity party.
But in the not-grand scheme of things, what happened to the Nats catcher stinks.
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Posted on September 27th, 2016
By DERON SNYDER (as published in The Washington Times)
Remember when the national anthem prior to games was such a big deal that networks didn’t bother televising it? When many fans barely paid attention, too concerned with their concessions and conversations, their smartphones and last-second sprints to the restroom? When folks at home didn’t know and didn’t care whether players stood, kneeled, put hands over hearts or fists in the air?
Seems like a long time ago.
Now TV cameras pan the sideline during the formality, looking for signs of protest. Fans at the stadium make their own star-spangled statements, with homemade signs as back-up. Media members compile weekly lists of who did what as the song was sung, later seeking answers from the participants.
The national anthem has become a national obsession, thanks to a second-string quarterback’s opposition to oppression.
Colin Kaepernick was on the cover of Time magazine last week, with a headline that read “The Perilous Fight.” His decision to take a knee during the anthem has sparked a wave of similar actions, trickling down to colleges and high schools, too. The decision also has riled a considerable segment of society, unleashing a steady stream of invective at Kaepernick and his sympathizers.
Then the game begins and we sort of forget about the controversies (the singing and the shootings). Sports proceeds to work as the escape so many want.
Except the discussion continues because people keep weighing in on the protest (and police officers keep killing unarmed people). Then it’s time for the next game and the next anthem and the cycle repeats.
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Posted on September 26th, 2016
By DERON SNYDER
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The weekly referendum began with Kirk Cousins leading Washington to a field goal. And then another three points on the ensuing possession and another don’t-come-away-empty drive on the third series.
It ended with Cousins throwing two incompletions (drawing a roughing-the-passer penalty on one) and handing off to Matt Jones eight times for … you guessed it … yet another successful Dustin Hopkins kick to give the Skins a 29-27 victory in a wild and wacky affair against the New York Giants.
If this game proved anything besides the fact that Washington is a gritty, resilient team, it demonstrated that everything indeed doesn’t revolve around No. 8, despite appearances and airwaves.
Yes, quarterbacks receive too much credit and too much blame. But Cousins takes that equation to new, unbalanced extremes, receiving little acknowledgment for victories and the brunt of criticism for defeats. It’s like he can’t win even when the team does, which hadn’t happened in two outings entering Sunday’s contest.
Cousins did his part against the Giants – throwing for 296 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He completed 60 percent of his passes and finished with a 106.4 rating compared to his Super Bowl-winning counterpart Eli Manning (82.1).
True, the Skins were 0-for-4 in red zone efficiency and Cousins left points and yards on the table with several errant throws, But he put the Skins in position to salvage a desperately-needed win in their personal shop of horrors.
However, the list of significant contributors is lengthy and full of unexpected names.
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Posted on September 19th, 2016
By DERON SNYDER
There aren’t many instances when “soft” is viewed positively in the world of sports.
A soft touch on jump shots and fade routes is good. So are soft hands for catching hard passes and wicked grounders. There might be a few more examples but they escape me at the moment.
Overall though, soft often is used as insult. And in the minds of some observers, it applies to an entire generation of athletes.
Today’s players don’t care much for the old standards of treatment modeled by the likes of Bear Bryant, Bob Knight, Frank Kush and scores of less-famous coaches. Concepts such as abuse and mistreatment didn’t apply in a world and time before Twitter, Facebook and ESPN.
Back then, coach was king – doling out tough love and tough tactics designed to strengthen young people … if not break them first.
In that world, sensitivity is a dirty word and hurt feelings are maladies to be treated and cured. Anyone who can’t get with the program is deemed a wimp or worse. Proponents of this approach believe that dissent is based on political correctness and “sissyfication” that are ruining our country.
That’s the camp behind guys like Mike Lonergan. George Washington University fired him as men’s basketball coach last week, despite three consecutive 22-plus-win seasons, after looking into complaints from multiple players.
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Posted on September 15th, 2016
By DERON SNYDER
Raise your hand if you heard of the coracoid bone before this week.
I suspect I’m not alone in my ignorance regarding that segment of the human anatomy.
Now raise your hand if you’re surprised Robert Griffin III is the player who broke a bone you didn’t know existed.
Sadly, I suspect that’s most of us.
RG3’s incredible journey from star to star-crossed might have reached its painful end Sunday in Philadelphia. That would be a shame on several levels, including the fact he won’t be in uniform Oct. 2 when his Cleveland Browns visit FedEx Field.
We had the date circled on our calendars since the schedule was released, wondering which direction the story would take. Would Griffin return to Washington and find redemption after his unsightly decline and unceremonious departure? Or would he continue along the path that began Jan. 6, 2013, when his right knee buckled?
The expectations he engendered during that Rookie of the Year campaign were distant memories when he signed with Cleveland. Unfortunately, everything else about RG3 since he underwent a direct repair of his LCL and a re-do of previous ACL reconstruction was all too familiar in Ohio.
Only the colors and logo were different.
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Posted on September 12th, 2016
By DERON SNYDER
To err is human and to forgive is divine.
But to reject correction is stupid.
I’m all for the human element in sports, where receivers drop passes, infielders boot grounders and point guards blow lay-ups. Those mistakes happen and they’re part of the game. Nothing can or should be done about that.
However, not all blunders are created equal. If the coach is guilty of poor clock management or the center hikes the ball over the punter’s head, that’s one thing. They’re actors with a stake in the competition, actively engaged in trying to win.
Conversely, officials are supposed to be neutral participants. They should follow doctors’ lead and operate under a Hippocratic Oath of sorts: “First, do no harm.” To the best of their ability, referees and umpires should ensure that their gaffes have little-to-no bearing on a game’s outcomes.
There was a point when we simply accepted the fact that officials’ miscues can have a major effect, arguably creating the difference between a win and a loss. But that was before the use of instant replay slowly grew in acceptance. Thankfully, the powers-that-be realized the foolishness in allowing certain bad calls to stand when there’s clear evidence of a slipup.
Replay has its limits and limitations, rightfully so. Games would last twice as long if everything was subject to review. And we don’t change results after the fact; the final score stands when the game ends, no matter what we see afterward in endless loops.
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Posted on September 8th, 2016
By DERON SNYDER
The Carolina Panthers don’t want us to call Thursday night’s season opener a rematch and that seems like a reasonable request.
Not because Denver defeated Carolina in Super Bowl 50 and associating the new season with that loss would be too painful. Vindication won’t be won with a win in Week 1.
No, the reason to disconnect those results from whatever happens Thursday wears No. 13 for Denver. He was a seventh-round draft pick in 2015 (the 250th player selected) and he’s the new starting quarterback, replacing future Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning.
His name is Trevor Siemian, also known as “Who?”
He’s the kind of QB who gives Kirk Cousins’ fans reason to fear that Washington’s front office views their guy as replaceable. If the defending Super Bowl champs can go from a legend under center to a guy without a single regular-season pass attempt, any team might feel comfortable rolling the dice with a great unknown.
We’ve seen this script before from defensive-minded teams. They just want a caretaker who won’t mess up things for the real difference-makers. Move the chains, avoid turnovers, manage field position, score a few points and let the defense take over from there.
Except the Broncos think Siemian can really play. He beat out eight-year veteran Mark Sanchez and prized No. 1 draft pick Paxton Lynch by exhibiting command of the offense, remarkable poise and a strong, accurate arm. He first impressed coaches and teammates during last season as the scout team QB, using that time to demonstrate his own ability while mimicking the likes of Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady.
Now Siemian is one of them, a starting quarterback in the NFL.
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Posted on September 5th, 2016
By DERON SNYDER
Enjoying college sports at the highest level, at least for me, includes slight pangs of guilt and a tug at my conscience.
I try not to think about it too much, especially in the midst of thrillers like the University of Texas’ 50-47 double-overtime victory Saturday against Notre Dame, or unforeseen upsets like No. 3 Oklahoma going down against wanna-be Big 12 member Houston.
When the focus remains fixed on the ball and players between the white lines (or on the hardwood), it’s easy to view the action as mere fun and games, enjoyed by generation after generation of participants and spectators of all ages.
There are no conflicting emotions at the professional level. We understand that the NFL and NBA represent “big business,” whose sole reason for existence is to realize a profit. Pro leagues make games and Ford makes cars with the same intention – to make money as a result.
But the picture gets cloudy when the gaze shifts to campuses. I know the stated reasons for intercollegiate sports; they’re great for extracurricular activities, school spirit, marketing opportunities and alumni pride.
However, it’s impossible to ignore the staggering amounts of money involved – where it goes and where it comes from, who gets paid and who doesn’t – without raising nagging concerns about priorities and propriety.
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Posted on September 1st, 2016
By DERON SNYDER
Sometimes it’s hard to separate our true beliefs from our lip service.
One minute we encourage people to chase their dreams. The next minute we call them foolish and unrealistic.
On one hand, we say nothing beats failure but a try. On the other hand, we say don’t waste your time on the near-impossible.
One day we’re telling folks to believe in themselves and take chances. The next day they’re the objects of our derision.
Which is it for you? Do you applaud Tim Tebow for having the courage to potentially face plant on the diamond as he pursues a baseball career? Or do you ridicule him for thinking he can overcome an 11-year layoff and reach the big leagues?
From here, it seems like the laugh track is stuck in the on position.
But I’m clapping, even though with a gun to my head I’d bet my house that he fails.
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