Sports Beat column - January 4, 2008

Sports Beat

January 4, 2008

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Brian ³Big Ego² Billick was canned by the ³Rowdy Ravens², no surprise, especially when the inmates take over the asylum. If you are naive to think that Billick had control of the players, assistant coaches or fans then I have a bridge to sell you. Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden and a few other players should get bus tickets and how about Ozzie Newsome? You think the owners would be tired of seeing Phil Savage (Cleveland Browns GM) pick Ozzie¹s pocket? All these and more should go.

If Steve Bisciotti wants to win now here are the ones he should go to and the ones he shouldn¹t:
Winners
Bill Cowher he says he doesn¹t want to coach this season.
Marty Schottenheimer would win in regular season but has trouble in the playoffs. Losers
Rex Ryan he¹s the choice of the inmates, vastly over rated.
Josh McDaniels too young, would have to clean house.

Maybe
Jason Garrett high powered offensive mind.
Ralph Friedgen long shot.
Kirk Ferentz long shot.
Mike Tice could do the job.

Outside Chance
Mike Singletary
Jim Caldwell
Tony Sparano

My pick but it won¹t happen is Bill Cowher or Marty S., the inmates would veto both. Bill Parcell is making moves with the Dolphins firing Cam Cameron and Randy Mueller and hiring Jeff Ireland as GM. Dick Nolan is back as 49¹ers coach and Scott McCloughan takes over as 49¹ers GM. Mike Martz was canned by the Lions. K.C. fired Mike Solari, Charlie Joiner, John Matsko and James Saxon. Billick will not be out of a job long. Joe Gibbs is back in form and may surprise a few teams in the playoffs. New England went 16-0 in the regular season after beating the Giants. Tom Brady finished the regular season with a record 50 TD passes.

COLLEGE SPORTS

Maryland lost in the Emerald Bowl 21-14 to Oregon State . The Terps had a strong first half but allowed O.S. to tie the game at 14 a piece in the closing seconds of the first half and then allowed O.S. to get the winning TD while the Terps had nothing left in the rest of the game.

Despite losing 10-3 to Mississippi State , Central Florida showed they will be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come under Coach George O¹Leary. Including the Liberty Bowl loss they finished 10-4 for 2007 and surprised a few teams with their intense play.

The following All-USA players in USA Today three are headed to Notre Dame, Trevor Robinson, 6¹5, 304 lbs, 3.9 GPA offensive lineman, Michael Floyd, 6¹3, 210 lbs, WR, Kyle Rudolph, 6¹7, 235 lbs, TE. Heade4d to Michigan John Jenkins, 6¹5, 305 lbs, offensive lineman, Shayne Hale, 6¹4, 235 lbs, linebacker, Neal Perry, 6¹4, 250 lbs, defensive lineman. No Maryland recruits named in USA Today. The Defensive Player of the Year was Patrick Johnson, 4.3-40, 4.0 GPA. Offensive Player of the Year was Terrell Pryor, 6¹6, 240 lbs Quarterback (also top basketball player).

The Navy AD is crying about a bad call made by the officials in their bowl loss to Utah. I wonder why he hasn¹t complained about officials earlier in the season. The college, pro and high school football officials in the 2007 season were terrible.

Navy football players making Phil Steele¹s College Football Magazine All-Independent honors are:
Naipo Noa Kaheaker-Enhada QB
Eric Kettani FB
Reggie Campbell RB
Antion Harper C
Ben Gabbard G
Joey Bullen K
Matt Harmon K
Irve Spencer LB

Raven assistant coach Rick Neusheisel is the new head football coach at UCLA. Eddie Sutton takes over as head basketball coach at San Francisco University on an ³Interim² basis while Jesse Evans takes a leave of absence. Why isn¹t Jim Phelan in the College Basketball Hall of Fame?

College Bowl football results:
Meinke Car             Connecticut
10                     Wake Forest                 24
Alamo                    Penn State
24                     Texas A&M                 17
Champ                    B.C.
24                     Michigan State              21
Independent            Alabama
30                     Colorado                       24
Armed Forces         California
42                     Air Force                      36
SUN                       Oregon
56                     South Florida                 21
Humanitarian          Fresno State
40                     Georgia Tech                28
Music City              Kentucky
35                     Florida State                  28
Texas                     TCU
20                     Houston                        13
ChickFil A              Auburn
23                     Clemson                       20
(OT)
Insight                    Oklahoma State
49                     Indiana                         33
Outback                  Tennessee
21                     Wisconsin                     17
Cotton                    Missouri
38                     Arkansas                       7
Capital One             Michigan
41                     Florida                          35
Gator                      Texas Tech
31                     Virginia                         28
Rose                       USC
49                     Illinois                           17
Sugar                      Georgia
41                     Hawaii                          10
Fiesta                     West Virginia
48                     Oklahoma                     28
Holiday                   Texas
52                     Arizona State                34
Orange                   Kansas
24                     Virginia Tech                21

The Maryland men whipped up on Delaware 76-49 in basketball. James Gist led the Terps (7-6) with 18 points. It snapped the Terps losing steak and then beat Savannah State 75-49. Ralph Sampson III (son of the former Virginia great Ralph Sampson) is playing for Tubby Smith at Minnesota . Is Chris Turner transferring to a West Coast school from Maryland because of the lack of respect from Terps coach Ralph Friedgen and the fact that QB failure Jordan Steffy was recruited by new Terps offensive coordinator James Franklin. Terp linebacker Erin Henderson is going pro; he¹s not as good as his brother EJ and will not be a big loss for the team.

Maryland Field Hockey Coaching Duo Earn Elite Status
Meharg and van Herwaarden receive Level III accreditation

Maryland head coach Missy Meharg and technical director/coach Tjerk van Herwaarden have received USA Field Hockey's highest coaching accreditation, receiving Level III certification. The coaching duo was invited to participate in the first-ever USFHA Level III accreditation course in Palm Springs , Fla. , in late November. The USFHA's comprehensive coaching accreditation program features four course levels, beginning with the developmental through to the international/elite levels. USFHA Technical Director Terry Walsh held the inaugural Level III coaching course where 18 high-level international and NCAA coaches were in attendance, including 20th-year Terrapin head coach Missy Meharg and Tjerk van Herwaarden, who completed his third season in College Park.

After earning the high-level certification, van Herwaarden, a native of Holland , was also recommended for FIH (international field hockey's governing body) course work and will co-lead the first Level II coaching course at the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Convention, which will be held in Hartford , Conn. , Jan. 3-6, 2008. He will also be joining the U.S. Men's National Team again as an assistant coach and will be traveling to New Zealand in February for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

"Tjerk brings to Maryland field hockey a high quality of tactical and strategic awareness, which has been grounded from world hockey power Holland ," said Walsh. "We in USA Field Hockey look forward to having Tjerk share his knowledge as he strives to improve himself as a coach under the very capable guidance of Missy Meharg and her staff at the University of Maryland . The inaugural Coaching Accreditation Program recently completed by USA Field Hockey is the first strong step in raising the level of coaching within USA Field Hockey and all of the Field Hockey family in the USA "

After leading Maryland to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Meharg was named the NFHCA's Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the 11th time in her career. She is the only coach in NCAA Division history to be selected the NFHCA Coach of the Year six times, last earning the honor in 2006 after she led the team to its fourth national title in her tenure.

WIZARD¹S REPORT

The Washington Wizards January home schedule:
January 12        Boston
January 18        New York
January 21        Dallas
January 25        Memphis

Still in the Wiz¹s injury list are: Gilbert Arenas Oleksiy Pecherov Etan Thomas Antonio Davis is off the list and back. Roger Mason, Jr. did well in starting in place of Daniels. The 76¹ers traded Kyle Korver to Utah for disgruntled Gordan Giricek; it surprises me that Korver was traded because he is a deadly 3 point shooter averaging over 10 points a game while Giricek is averaging a tad over 4 points a game. New York, Miami , Minnesota and Memphis are playing the worse basketball in the NBA, Boston by far the best.

ORIOLES OUTHOUSE

The Old Timers Baseball Association will hold their annual Hall of Fame Induction Banquet on January 11th at the Del Capri. For information call Gary Lindamood at 302-436-2865.

Inductee¹s are:
Joe ³Pete² Hanilton Ken Robinson Bob Schultz Joe Short Hal Sparks Man of the Year Bob Pitt Life Member Paul Bonomo High School Coach of the Year Lewis Eckerl

Posthumous Awards ³Wild Bill² Hagy, Jim Elliott.

It¹s a great event so call Gary and get in on the action. The Orioles picked up Chris Roberson from the Phillies and designated for assignment Jeff Fiorentino to make room for him. Kansas City has signed the Florida Marlins catcher of the past two seasons Miguel Olivo. The Marlins had let him go after picking up catcher Mike Rabelo from the Detroit Tigers. The San Diego Padres have added Mark Prior to their pitching staff on a one year deal, if he can regain the early form he had with the Cubs he will be a super grab. The Houston Astros sign Oscar Villareal to a two year contract.

WE GET LETTERS

Bill: What do you have against Norv Turner? He wasn't allowed to succeed in Washington first when Jack Kent Cooke wouldn't intervene in enough time to cause a complete personality/professional clash with Norv and Charley Casserly, then, just when Norv seemed to have the Redskins going in the right direction, little snivelly Danny stepped in to intervene in everything Norv did including making him start Jeff George over the far more consistent Brad Johnson. And since when has anyone won in Oakland -- the league's worst job? Now Norv has led the Chargers to the conference title and a 10-5 record. Give the man his due? David J. from Annapolis

Dear David J. He¹s a good assistant coach. Bill

Bill, God Bless you and yours with good health and a safe, prosperous 2008. You are truly missed at the MTA. Greg Valancius

Bill, In case you want to know what is REALLY going on with the Ravens go to www.wnt.net and read the blogs by Drew Forrestor and Nestor Aparacio. These guys have the inside scoop unlike the Baltimore Sun who are clueless and are lazy journalists. Ed

Dear Ed, On the money again. I will be joining Nasty¹s blogs very soon. Bill

Hi Bill, Our RHS Coach Louis G. Chacos has passed away. If you remember he came to our 50th reunion with his son Donald. I just spoke to Donald and he said his dad had been not doing so well for a couple of months but he was with him, holding his hand when he passed away. The Washington Post will be printing an article that the 3 sons wrote about him. Funeral home is Pumphrey's in Bethesda on Wednesday and the Mass is on Thursday. Please view and sign the guestbook at www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to "The Helping our Heroes Foundation" American Red Cross, Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW DC 20307. Carole West Cullinane

Dear Carole, Thanks for the news, though sad. I remember he was at Central and replaced the late Pete Labukas at RHS when Pete went into the service and CHS closed. His mother and sister lived around the corner from me in the 1500 block of Allison Street NW in DC. Bill

Bill, Don Ledyard passed away June 17, 2006. He had multiple health issues. I received your Christmas card even though I have moved but thank you very much. Shelby

Shelby, Thanks for the sad news, my deepest sympathy goes to you and the family. Don was a nice man and he loved baseball. Bill

Bill John Antholis, Roosevelt HS June 1951, passed away on November 19. John attended Wilson Teachers College, and then after a two year tour in the army, finished his under graduate school at Maryland University and then to Georgetown Law School. John has been practicing law in Morristown , N.J. for at least forty years. BOB

Bill, Great column as always. In your "Looking for People" if the Harriet Ross is a Coolidge gal, she is married to my life-long friend from Eastern "51² Don Dodd. They live in Hilton Head and we had and evening together in Ft Lauderdale a few years ago. We communicate often. I will send your column to them. Wishing you a Happy New Year. J

PS: Alex is home till about the 12 of Jan. He's looking forward to next year of course. They worked him a lot also at wide receiver due to his speed, and he got a little trophy for best offensive freshman. He has a friend who he played with in high school and now at NC State and may get him to workout this summer with them. Anyway, he's doing well and thanks for asking.

Bill, Merry Christmas and a Very Happy, Healthy New Year to you and yours also. We love being on your list of "correspondents" and look forward to many more years of the same. We particularly enjoy your restaurant recommendations as we have a son who lives in Odenton with his family and is always looking for new places to eat. I've told him about the ones you've mentioned in your column. He's anxious to try them. Stay well, take care, and keep up the good work. Sandy Herrmann Coolidge High, Class of June 1953

Bill, Ward Sullivan whose brother, Jack Sullivan, graduated from Eastern in '54 passed away a few years ago. Re: Joe Bartenfelder, he was next door to the Carroll County Delegation office when I worked in the Md. legislature. Nice guy and back then not one of those political types - just a good ole boy. Pat

SPORTS NOTES

Another great athlete passed away last week at age 89, Jim Casliglia. He played with the Redskins, Eagles, and Baltimore Colts (AAC). He also played 16 games as a catcher with the Philadelphia A¹s. He is a member of the Georgetown University ¹s Hall of Fame for both sports. He coached football at Bulles Prep and baseball at Catholic University. Our deepest sympathy goes to his family.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Jim Beauchamp who passed at the age of 68. He was a former player and longtime coach of the Atlanta Braves.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of William H. Sardo, Jr. ( Gonzaga & Georgetown U. grad).

Our deepest sympathy goes to the following families:
Lewis Rockwell Johnson (graduate of Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS and GWU)
Oscar Peterman (great jazz pianist)
Tom Vaughn (Coolidge HS grad)
Walter Keinekin (Northwestern HS grad)
Richard Paul Donaldson (DC native retired from PEPCO)
Dorothy Catterton (retired C&P employee)
James DeAngelis (legendary Yale football player)
Louis Wolfson (ran DC¹s Capital Transit 1949-56)

The Virginia Capitals made Bruce Boudreau their coach promoting him from ³Interim Coach² to full coach.

Prince William County in Virginia is doing a good job with their illegal immigrant problem no matter the Washington suck up stories. After all no matter what way you cut it illegal means breaking the law, end of discussion! Why have over 20,000 citizens left Maryland and moved to other States in recent weeks? Look for Rona Kramer and Cathy Puth to be serious contenders for Governor in 2010. Kramer would be an interesting one as MOM and both from Montgomery County . Her father was a great Senator and County Executive and her brother is a rising star in the House of Delegates and could be a serious contender for Speaker of the House. Other rising stars in the House are Dave Rudolph, Michael Vaughn, and Jim Mathias. Murray Levy could be close to being a State Senator. There was a great story on St. Mary¹s own Tubby Smith in the NY Times by Murray Chase on Wednesday, December 26th edition.

Veteran Hoops coach Jim Boylan is the new ³interim² coach of the Chicago Bulls.

The New York Times on Friday, December 28th had another great story on a local by Jere Longman it was on Todd Bozeman. Seems the NY Times is doing a better job on locals than the Post, Sun and Times.

Colonel Bud is an honorary member of the Britney Spears Fan Club, hum I guess he¹s leaving the Dale Fan Club for Britney¹s, shame, shame on you Colonel Bud. Did you invite her to the reunion at Gentleman Jims? After all she was USA Today¹s Celebrity of the Year. Popular Blob¹s Park in Jessup , Maryland is closing; it opened in 1933 and is a major loss for the State. What¹s replacing it? What else, condos to handle the BRAC invasion.

I wonder where they are today:
Russell Hazel, Filanemo Chemico, Bill Alvis, Chuck Rutkay, Bobby Cooper, Evelyn Gregory, Jeff Hanbery, Tony Marchetti, Danny Butler, and Jack Biro?

SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS!!